Heparin Math

loveofrn, BSN, RN · Jul 2, 2014

There's no formula. It is a basic math. I think you should post a question that is difficult for you maybe we can help you out on how to solve it step by step

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jul 2, 2014

Students always want to cram all available numbers into formulas (of which DA is one, BTW). They often end up throwing every number in the word problem into the formula willy-nilly, and get some outlandish answer, and get crazed. The people who write the questions know this, and so they always put in a few choices that are wrong but that will be obtained if the formula is used without really knowing what it means.

If you took and passed algebra in high school, you can figure out these word questions.

How about you give us a sample of one you got stuck on, show us what you tried to do, and let us help you see where you went wrong?

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jul 3, 2014

This is a great site!

DosageHelp.com - Helping Nursing Students Learn Dosage Calculations

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jul 4, 2014

There is no formula. Heparin comes in many concentrations and patients are on heparin for a variety of reasons. There is simply no formula you can apply to every IV heparin order.

MarySnov · Jul 7, 2014

Hi,

Thank-you all for your help. I don't have any problems yet, so I don't have one to post. We haven't actually started this portion of the class yet. I was just trying to do a little prep learing before we actually have our IV calculations class. I appreciate the website to.

Mary :)

Guests · Jul 7, 2014

Well, here's a little heparin primer...

Heparin is an anticoagulant... meaning it prevents clots from forming or worsening...

Heparin is a high-risk medication... too much and you're going to have a patient bleeding out... it can also cause thrombocytopenia (HIT)... Don't screw around with heparin because it can kill...

Heparin requires regular monitoring of coagulation labs and adjustment of the dose to maintain the desired coag status.

Heparin is a weight-based medication that is dosed in units per kilogram.

Heparin is often given as a bolus (a set amount given over a few minutes)... also known as a "loading dose" followed by a drip...

The bolus dose is a single number... a given number of units (that is u/kg x kg body weight)

The drip is a *rate*... (u/kg x kg) per hour...

When the coags are taken, the drip is often modified up or down.

The kinds of equations that you need to work with include...

+ converting between kilograms and pounds... that is, 1 kg = 2.2 lb or conversely, 1 lb = 0.454 kg

+ utilizing heparin concentration to determine the volume flow rate... that is, the mL/hr...

+ utilizing tubing drip factor to determine the drip rate... drops per minute (gtt/min)

+ converting a weight-based dose to a specific dose (that is, multiplying the pt's body weight by the weight-based dose)

Guests · Jul 7, 2014

And while we're talking about heparin...

Say you screw up your dosing calcs and bolus your patient with 10x too much heparin... is there a counteracting agent? (hint: *yes*)... what is it?

Are there any potential cultural/religious concerns regarding heparin?

smf0903 · Jul 7, 2014

And while we're talking about heparin...
Say you screw up your dosing calcs and bolus your patient with 10x too much heparin... is there a counteracting agent? (hint: *yes*)... what is it?
Are there any potential cultural/religious concerns regarding heparin?

For once I know the answer to both of the questions...and the "why" behind the answer as well LOL. I'll give the OP the opportunity to answer, but then I have a very specific question about this.

loveofrn, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2014

Am starting NS school this fall, so I think I know the answer to the first one

The counteracting agent would be P. Sulphate which must be given for every ml of the heparin overdose given. P. Sulphate promote coagulation. I learned this during my AP 2

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2014

Yes it's protamine sulfate. Actually it is 1mg of protamine for every 100 units of heparin....with a max dose of 50mgs.

loveofrn, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2014

Ohhh pls can you explain why vitamin k cant be effective for heparin but it is for warfarin

Thanks