Dosage Calc IV Infusion Question

[chare]

Paigeh23 said:

So far I set 500 mL divided by 1 hour for an answer of 500 ml/hr. So you would run it for 2 hours total to give the total of 40 mEq??

If you have to administer 40 mEq of KCl over 2 hours, how many mEq hour are you going to administer?  Once you know this, you can easily calculate the hourly infusion rate.  I don't know how you are calculating this, but would encourage you to learn dimensional analysis.

There are several members here more than willing to help you with these problems.  When you post these questions please show what you have done to solve the problem, this helps us understand what you have done and better allows us to help you.

If you haven't visited this thread yet, there are several excellent resources in this thread.

Best wishes.

[JKL33]

Paigeh23 said:

So far I set 500 mL divided by 1 hour for an answer of 500 ml/hr. So you would run it for 2 hours total to give the total of 40 mEq??

You have your KCl in a 500 ml bag of fluid. How much KCl is in that bag? If you run the 500 ml bag in 1 hour how many mEq of KCl would you have administered?

How much KCl are you supposed to administer in 1 hr?

Your given information contains all of these answers and, just so you know, there is no trick. The information is given outright.

[chare]

Paigeh23 said:

Thanks for the insight, I'm new here and have no idea what the protocol is.

It's not a "protocol" that you post your work, but it does help us understand what you have done. 

Paigeh23 said:

Here is what I have so far, not sure if its correct with dimensional analysis:

500ml/40 mEq x 20 mEq/ 1 hr = 250 ml/hr

Good job!  This is the correct answer.  And, it is correct formatting using dimensional analysis.

Best wishes.

[iNurs5, CNA]

Paigeh23 said:

Hello, 

Wondering if anyone can help with this? I'm thrown off by the mEq in this question, should it be converted or just left be?

A nurse is preparing to administer 40 mEq of potassium chloride in 45% sodium chloride (NaCl) 500 mL IV to infuse 20 mEq/hr. The nurse should set the IV pump to deliver how many mL/hr?

So far I set 500 mL divided by 1 hour for an answer of 500 ml/hr. So you would run it for 2 hours total to give the total of 40 mEq??

40mEq=500mL;  20mEq/hour 

(500mL/40mEq)(20mEq/hr)=250mL/hr  

Or

This way, 20mEq/hour=40mEq/500mL. Still come out with 250mL/hour.

[Paigeh23]

Thanks for the insight, I'm new here and have no idea what the protocol is.

Here is what I have so far, not sure if its correct with dimensional analysis:

         500ml/40 mEq x 20 mEq/ 1 hr = 250 ml/hr

[Paigeh23]

Thank you for the help! Have a great afternoon!