Med Math Question

[Kimmie830]

I need some help with this problem..

The order reads: Start Pitocin at 1mu/min increase by 2mu/min every 30 minutes until contractions are 2-3 minutes apart. The bag sent up from the pharmacy has 10 units Pitocin in 1000ml of Normal Saline. What rate do yo set the IV Pump initially?

I know the answer is 6ml / hour... but I feel like the way I get there is not correct. Can anyone help? :-)

[loveofrn, BSN, RN]

Can you please show your work first then we will be able to help you out. However, there is 1000 milliunit in 1 units.

[Kimmie830]

Yeah..

With the 1u = 1000mu --> I did 10u = 10,000mu

10,000mu : 1,000ml :: 2mu : X

10,000mu (X) = 1,000ml (2mu)

Divide 10,000mu from each side and get

X = .2mu then I multiplied that by 30 and got 6ml/hour

I dont think thats right though... I feel like I should be using 60 minutes..

******************

Nevermind.. I just figured out my problem... I should have been using 1mu not 2mu and 60 mins not 30...

Thanks for letting me talk that out!

[loveofrn, BSN, RN]

Yeah..

With the 1u = 1000mu --> I did 10u = 10,000mu

10,000mu : 1,000ml :: 2mu : X

10,000mu (X) = 1,000ml (2mu)

Divide 10,000mu from each side and get

X = .2mu then I multiplied that by 30 and got 6ml/hour

I dont think thats right though... I feel like I should be using 60 minutes..

The question says what rate would you set the pump initially and that means you dont need the 2mu/min for now.

1mu x 1 u x 60 min x 1000ml = ​6ml/hour

1 min 1000mu 1 hour 10 unit

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

They are both correct, and you reached the correct answer. Either you use 2 and 30 minutes, or 1 and 60 minutes... Gives the same answer.