calculation question

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Am I over-looking the obvious here? Math is my strong suit, I get the calculations but this one has me stumped and I'm not sure why. I'm wondering if the prof has thrown this in to confuse us. She is known to do that...Is there a formula/equation for the following question?

A pt experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis is to receive 10 units/hr of a regular insulin infusion. The pharmacy dispensed a bag that contains 100 units of insulin in 250 cc of fluid. At what rate will you deliver this infusion?

  1. 2.5 cc/hr
  2. 10 cc/hr
  3. 25 cc/hr
  4. 100 cc/hr

The usual formulas DO/OH (qty) and DO (drip rate)/time

don't work here, or am I seeing cross-eyed?

The rate I get is 25 cc/hr, but I got that just by looking at the question.

The 250 cc bag needs to be delivered at a rate of 25 cc/hr in order to deliver the necessary 10 units/hr.

Any help would be appreciated. I needed a break from studying and thought I'd throw this one out to you folks in nursing student land!

TIA

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

I think you're trying to make it harder than it really is. It's just dimensional analysis from what I can see...

100units/250cc = 10units/X cc

X=25cc or 25cc/hr for your flow rate...every 25cc of fluid contains 10units of insulin

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got it! thanks.

I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't missing the formula.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Derm, OB.

DA:

cc/hr= 250cc/100u x 10u/1hr = 2500/100 = 25cc/hr

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