IV infusion rate calculation - HELP!

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I think my brain is fried since I can't figure out the answer on this. Someone help please.

- thanks! ;-)

-A client weight 187 lbs is receiving aminophylline 0.4 g in 500 mL of 0.9% saline solution at a rate of 80 mL/hr. You know that a therapeutic level for this drug is 0.4mg/kg/hr. Calculate the client's current infusion rate and determine how much drug per hour the client is receiving. Is this dosage subtherapeutic, therapeutic, or toxic?

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.

1.You need to convert the lbs to kg then find the safe dose range. 187/2.2= 85 = 34mg/hr

2. Then you need to convert the 0.4 g to mg. Since your safe dose range is in mg/kg = 0.4g = 400mg

3. Then you know that there is 400mg of medication in the 500ml bag of NS.

4. Ratio and Proportion method is 400mg:500ml:x mg:80ml = 64mg/hr = toxic

Course I am just guessing at this.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I think my brain is fried since I can't figure out the answer on this. Someone help please.

- thanks! ;-)

Welcome to AN! The largest online nursing community!

We are happy to help with homework but need to know what you have so far. I like to know where you are confused so I can best help you.

What is the question asking? highlight the necessary information.

A client weight 187 lbs is receiving aminophylline 0.4 g in 500 mL of 0.9% saline solution at a rate of 80 mL/hr. You know that a therapeutic level for this drug is 0.4mg/kg/hr.

The patient weighs 187 lbs....you need to convert this to kg. 187 x 2.2 =___(85kg)

The drip is O.4g (grams) in 500 cc......

you need to convert this to mg (milligrams) _____(400mg)

Your patients max dosage for their weight is..... kg x O.4 = ____(34mg/hr)

Know your conversions..........This site will help. DosageHelp.com - Helping Nursing Students Learn Dosage Calculations or here http://www.davesems.com/files/drug_dose_calculations.pdf

Unit Conversion

Mass:

  • mcg → mg → g → kg ( ÷ by 1,000 )
  • mcg ← mg ← g ← kg ( x by 1,000 )
  • lb → kg ( ÷ by 2.2 )
  • lb ← kg ( x by 2.2 )

Volume:

  • mcL → mL → L → kL ( ÷ by 1,000 )
  • mcL ← mL ← L ← kL ( x by 1,000 )

Time:

  • min → hr ( ÷ by 60 )
  • min ← hr ( x by 60 )

Then the question askes........http://www.dosagehelp.com/dosage_by_weight.html

Calculate the client's current infusion rate and determine how much drug per hour the client is receiving....how many mg per cc's x 80cc/hr

400

500 X 80 = _____(64mg/hr)

If 35mg/hr is max is 64mg/he too much too little or just right

Is this dosage subtherapeutic, therapeutic, or toxic? (max dosage for your patient is.....)

HINT: There are several steps to get to this answer.

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