IV math problems-help

[jsherman]

I have a math question for my careplan. I need help, please!!!

Your client has an order for Vancomycin 2 GM IV q18 hours. The recommended dose for Vanco. is 20 mg/kg per 24 hours. Is the dose that is ordered for your client w/in the recommended guidelines? If the dose isn't w/in the recommended guidelines what should you do?

The Vancomycin mentioned above is to infuse over 2 hours. It has come from pharmacy in a bag of NS w/ 290 mL total in the bag. The IV is to infuse at 145mL/hour. How many drips per minute will you expect to count when you stand at your client's bedside? If the machine is not infusing the correct number of drips per minute what will our nursing action be?

[natrgrrl]

In order to answer the question, don't you need to know the pt weight?

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

your client has an order for vancomycin 2 gm iv q18 hours. the recommended dose for vanco. is 20 mg/kg per 24 hours. is the dose that is ordered for your client w/in the recommended guidelines?

to determine this, you need to know the patient's weight.

if the dose isn't w/in the recommended guidelines what should you do?

notify the doctor.

the vancomycin mentioned above is to infuse over 2 hours. it has come from pharmacy in a bag of ns w/ 290 ml total in the bag. the iv is to infuse at 145ml/hour. how many drips per minute will you expect to count when you stand at your client's bedside?

the number of drops per minute depends on the type of iv tubing you use. iv tubing comes with drop factors of 10, 12, 15, 20 and 60 drops/ml. the drop factor of the tubing and the infusion rate determine the drip rate. since the drop factor of the tubing was not stated, the answer cannot be calculated unless you calculate an answer for each type of tubing.

if the machine is not infusing the correct number of drips per minute what will our nursing action be?

change machines. label what is wrong with the machine you are removing so a technician can check it out later. return the machine to central supply, or where ever medical equipment is to be returned to.