help needed for calculating drip rates

how many mg in the 500ml bag?

how many mg in the 500ml bag?

thanks for responding. Only thing, I can't remember how many mg was in the 500 ml bag.. Hypothetically, how do I set up the calculation to get the ml/hr rate to run the drip?

rate = (1 mg/min)x(500 mL/#mg in bag)x(60 min/hr)

Aren't your IV pumps programmable?

After a while, you'll get to know the drip rates. For example, for us, 1 mg/min is 50 mL/hr. But always check your concentration to verify it's the same as the bag that's hanging, or you might need to change the rate.

Amio is standardized. Always comes in 500ml bag. Order is always the same (unless more frequent bolusing). Your 150 bolus goes in over 10-15 min program for 600-900/hr. your 1mg/min is always 33.3 cc hour, program a VTBI of 199-200 to remind you to turn down after 6 hours, your 0.5mg/min is 16.6 cc hour. This really is standard for amio.

thanks for responding. Only thing, I can't remember how many mg was in the 500 ml bag.. Hypothetically, how do I set up the calculation to get the ml/hr rate to run the drip?

prob 900mg 1.8mg/ml

Amio is standardized. Always comes in 500ml bag. Order is always the same (unless more frequent bolusing). Your 150 bolus goes in over 10-15 min program for 600-900/hr. your 1mg/min is always 33.3 cc hour, program a VTBI of 199-200 to remind you to turn down after 6 hours, your 0.5mg/min is 16.6 cc hour. This really is standard for amio.

Ours is always 300 mg in a 250 mL bottle. I was just saying that she'd get to know what is standard at her institution, but that SOME drips can be made up in different concentrations. Our Levo is typically 4 mg in 250 mL, but a patient on 12 different drips might have them double or quadruple-concentrated to reduce the fluid intake. Be careful of thinking that what is standard at your institution is standard everywhere. And I've taken over patients with pumps mis-programmed because someone didn't bother to check the bag before hanging it.

Ours is always 300 mg in a 250 mL bottle. I was just saying that she'd get to know what is standard at her institution, but that SOME drips can be made up in different concentrations. Our Levo is typically 4 mg in 250 mL, but a patient on 12 different drips might have them double or quadruple-concentrated to reduce the fluid intake. Be careful of thinking that what is standard at your institution is standard everywhere. And I've taken over patients with pumps mis-programmed because someone didn't bother to check the bag before hanging it.

With only 250cc at 1.2mg/ml. You guys must run out of this alot during a 24hr infusion, you can't even finish your 1st 6 hr dosing.

Amio is standardized. Always comes in 500ml bag. Order is always the same (unless more frequent bolusing). Your 150 bolus goes in over 10-15 min program for 600-900/hr. your 1mg/min is always 33.3 cc hour, program a VTBI of 199-200 to remind you to turn down after 6 hours, your 0.5mg/min is 16.6 cc hour. This really is standard for amio.

Concentrations are NOT standardized across the country. Our amio runs at 18ml/hour and 9ml per hour.

Wouldn't it be grand if they were standardized across the country, as well as IV tubing, etc.

Wouldn't it be grand if they were standardized across the country, as well as IV tubing, etc.

That would be totally awesome!!!!!! I swear nurses need to gain control of hospitals! Life would be so much easier!

Ours is always 300 mg in a 250 mL bottle. I was just saying that she'd get to know what is standard at her institution, but that SOME drips can be made up in different concentrations. Our Levo is typically 4 mg in 250 mL, but a patient on 12 different drips might have them double or quadruple-concentrated to reduce the fluid intake. Be careful of thinking that what is standard at your institution is standard everywhere. And I've taken over patients with pumps mis-programmed because someone didn't bother to check the bag before hanging it.

Thank you so much for saying this --what a huge safety issue. We use different concentrations based on fluid status often so I make it part of my routine assessment to double check my concentrations first thing on shift. And while I'm there (just for fun ) I re-calculate to make sure the math is correct for the pt's dry wt--you'd be amazed at what I catch!:typing

For the original post, please look at some of the critical care reference books like Kathy White Fast Facts--it has many ICU pearls, drip charts, drugs and so on. But take the time to do the math as much as possible--go into other rooms during your shift and look at drips, do the math and compare with other nurses. :D