Dimensional Analysis Help

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I am studying sample dosage calc questions for an upcoming test. I have never seen the following type of question before. I have combed through my D.A. book and there is nothing like it. Here is the question:

The physician has prescribed 1000 mL of D5W with 10 units of Oxytocin to be infused at a rate of 14 mlu/min. Using an IV administration set that delivers 60 microdrops/mL, at how many microdrops/min will you infuse the IV?

One of my classmates says we have to use a conversion factor of 1 unit/1000 mLu, but she didn't know why 1 unit = 1000 mLu. Can someone explain this to me. I have always been able to figure out any question that involves D.A., but I just don't understand how to arrive at this conversion factor. :banghead:

Thanks!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

milli- is a prefix meaning 'thousandth'.

millimeter is 1/1000 meter, milliliter is 1/1000 liter, and milliunit is 1/1000 unit.

Therefore, it stands to reason that 1000 milliunits = 1 unit.

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LOL, I was definitely making that harder than it was. I think maybe it's time to take a break from studying. Thank you!

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

the physician has prescribed 1000 ml of d5w with 10 units of oxytocin to be infused at a rate of 14 mlu/min. using an iv administration set that delivers 60 microdrops/ml, at how many microdrops/min will you infuse the iv?

pitocin (oxytocin) drips are ordered as mu/minute. i have not seen mlu/min used before. there are 1000 mu per unit.

1000 ml/10 units
(dose on hand)
x 14 mu/minute
(rate of infusion)
x 60 gtts/ml
(drop factor of iv tubing)
x 1 unit/1000 mu
(conversion factor)
=
84 gtts/minute

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Thank you Daytonite. I have never seen mLu either, but I am very new to this. It makes me feel better that you haven't seen it either.

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