IV question

[steven007, BSN, MSN]

So, this is frustrating me.

Heparin 20000 units in 500 ml bag of 5%D/W. What rate would you set the pump at to deliver

ü 1000 units per hour

ü 800 units per hour

ü 960 units per hour

So, it translates to 2ml per hour, because if you have 1000 units of heparin in a 500 ml bag, then you'Re going to have 2 units of heparin per every 1 ml. But what doesn't make sense is how you can set a pump to 2 ml/hour. SO what the hell?!

[agldragonRN]

link: http://www.ehow.com/video_4754320_cross-multiply-proportions.html

please see this video and just set-up your equations and look for "x", which would be the ml/hour.

[agldragonRN]

so, it translates to 2ml per hour, because if you have 1000 units of heparin in a 500 ml bag, then you're going to have 2 units of heparin per every 1 ml. but what doesn't make sense is how you can set a pump to 2 ml/hour. so what the hell?!

you will always have 20,000 units of heparin in the 500 ml bag. these variables do not change when you set up your equations.

[steven007, BSN, MSN]

This doesn'T help me at all, it doesn't make sense.

I know how to cross multiply, it's not the math I have a problem with. I'm very good at math, I just don't understand what I'm setting the pump to if the answer is 2ml an hour.

[agldragonRN]

cross multiply the following to get the answers.

1). 20,000/500 ml = 1000/x

2). 20,000/500 ml = 800/x

3). 20,000/500 ml = 960/x

[agldragonRN]

the answer is not 2 ml an hour for the first one. it is 25 ml/hour

when the pump asks you for the ml/hr, put 25

[steven007, BSN, MSN]

Oh okay, thanks, you helped! I didn'T realize there was the 20,000 thing there, this makes MUCH more sense now, so each mL has 40 units of heparin. GOtcha!

Thanks!!!

[agldragonRN]

no prob.

[agldragonRN]

also always set-up the equations so you don't get confused and miss a step and the problem is right there in front of you.

i am very good at math as well (have a degree in computer science) but i always set-up equations even though i could do it in my head pretty quickly. this is especially helpful when you are working as a nurse and always have somebody double check you to prevent medication errors. i don't care what my coworkers think but this is for patient's safety so i don't care if they think i am a dummy.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

always do the overview before you set up any equation. think: if i have 20,000 units in 500cc, how many units in one cc? that would be .... 40 units/cc.

then you can figure out how many of those 40 units you need in an hour for the number of units desired.

also...if an answer just doesn't look right (2cc/hour???) go back to the beginning and check out your initial assumption.

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

Heparin questions used to confuse me until I realized that it was simple when you broke it down.

20,000 units divided by 500 ml bag = 40units per ml

1,000 units/per dose divided by 40 units per ml = 25ml/hr

So for every heparin question, first find out how many units you have in 1ml. Do this by dividing your total number of units by the total volume in the bag.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

If your unit does not have a quick drug/calculation book, then implement one. It should have all the common drugs you would use, such as dopamine, heparin, etc. with the drip rates listed, for quick reference. Then all you would have to do is glance at it to see the proper drip rate. Sometimes you will not have time to calculate, check, and re-check drip rates. You can do that after you get the drug going according to your quick guide. With adults this is easy because you can have pre-mixed drugs provided by your pharmacist, but with pediatric patients, you do need to know how to calculate quickly.