Answer:
Explanation:
To calculate the flow rate in mcg/min, we need to first convert the patient's weight to kilograms and then use the given infusion rate to determine the required flow rate.First, let's convert the patient's weight from pounds to kilograms:220 lbs * 0.45359237 kg/lb = 99.79 kgNow we can use the given infusion rate of 4 mcg/kg/min to determine the required flow rate:Flow rate = Infusion rate * Weight in kilograms = 4 mcg/kg/min * 99.79 kg = 399.16 mcg/minNext, we need to determine how much medication needs to be infused per minute to achieve this flow rate. To do this, we need to know the concentration of the medication in the infusion solution.The medication is available in 450 mg per 500 mL of 0.9% NS, so the concentration of the medication is 450 mg / 500 mL = 0.9 mg/mL.We also know that the drop factor is 60 gtt/mL, which means that there are 60 drops per mL.To convert the flow rate in mcg/min to a flow rate in drops per minute, we need to know the volume of each drop. To find this, we can use the formula:Volume of 1 drop = Volume of infusion solution / Number of dropsPlugging in the values, we find that the volume of 1 drop is:Volume of 1 drop = 500 mL / 60 drops = 8.33 mL/dropNow we can convert the flow rate in mcg/min to a flow rate in mL/min:Flow rate in mL/min = Flow rate in mcg/min / (Concentration in mg/mL * 1000 mcg/mg)Plugging in the values, we find that the flow rate in mL/min is:Flow rate in mL/min = 399.16 mcg/min / (0.9 mg/mL * 1000 mcg/mg) = 44.35 mL/minFinally, we can convert the flow rate in mL/min to a flow rate in drops/min:Flow rate in drops/min = Flow rate in mL/min / Volume of 1 dropPlugging in the values, we find that the flow rate in drops/min is:Flow rate in drops/min = 44.35 mL/min / 8.33 mL/drop = 5.32 drops/minSo the flow rate for this medication infusion should be set to approximately 5.32 drops/min.