Dilution of D50 amp

[punkstar]

In regards to Pediatric children with altered mental status...

How would one get Dextrose 12.5% 4 ml/kg, as well as Dextrose 25% 2 ml/kg, from Dextrose 50%.

Can you dilute Dextrose into 1L 0.9 NS and utilize the mixture that way?

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

[PICNICRN, BSN, RN]

What I do is, take your D50 syringe(usually comes in 50cc syringe) and mix 1:1 with NS--- there are a few ways to do this. You can take a 100cc bag of NS and withdraw 50cc out and discard, then shoot your D50 right into the bag--- Now you have D25. Or you can put 25cc of your D50 into a 50cc syringe with 25CC NS. and so on and so forth. Depending on the amount you need.

Now, to get D12.5..... You simply dilute your "new" D25 1:1 a second time.

We rarely use D12.5 in an emergent situation because it is quite a pain to "cut" the D50 twice. Usually we will use D25 or D10(especially if there is not a central line in yet).

Hope this helps.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

That was going to be my suggestion as well - hang a bag of D10 until other interventions (such as a central line) are in place.