Math Problem Help

studentnurse2012 · Nov 7, 2009

I got 12mL/hr....but i could be completely wrong (we only just started dosage calcs):

132lb = 60 kg

60kg * 0.1 units = 6 units per hour.

then use the d/h *q formula:

6 units/ 125 units * 250mL = 12mL/hr

Do-over, ASN, RN · Nov 7, 2009

12mL per hour

0.1 Units / 1 kg = X Units / 60 kg

X=6 units per hour

125 Units / 250 mL = 6 Units / X mL

X=12 mL per hour

tlc2u · Nov 7, 2009

cyncopia,

what method do you use for doing your math? ratio and proportion, formula or dimensional analysis?

at my nursing school in our first semester we had to learn all three methods which became very confusing. we started with ratio and proportions, then formulas and by the time we got to dimensional analysis most students in class found it confusing to try and remember another method and did not try to save this in their memory banks. 2nd through 4th semester wouldn't you know the only method our instructors used was dimensional analysis.

once i finally learned dimensional analysis that is the only method i use now as it works for all my drug dosage calculations.

for all my dimensional analysis problems i list at the beginning what i need my answer to be and then work from there.

the answer needs to be ml/hr so the value for mls goes on top

ml - 250 ml [color=white].x 0.1 u [color=white].x _1 kg_ x _132 lbs____ = 3300 = 12 ml/hr

hr[color=white]... 125 u [color=white]....[color=white].kg/hr [color=white]..[color=white].2.2 lbs [color=white]......1 (patient) [color=white]....275

when the u's, kg's, and lbs are crossed off then all that is left is the ml/hr for 1 patient.

hope that helps.

dannibee · Nov 8, 2009

I also got 12 ml/hr.

132lbs/2.2 = 60kg

0.1units x 60kg = 6 units/hr

6 units X 250ml = 12 ml/hr

125units

suchas · Nov 8, 2009

You have a patient who is being admitted for DKA with blood sugars in the 600's. The orders are to start an insulin drip at 0.1 units/kg/hour. The patient weighs 132 pounds and the concentration of the insulin drip is 125 units in 250 ml. What rate will you set your pump?
I got 25ml/hour- is this correct? Thanks! :redbeathe:loveya:

Hope this was a quiz problem and not part of an actual care plan. If it was, very scary

peytonsmom · Nov 9, 2009

Ignore PP, OP they're apparently perfect and know everything.

I'm going to second the Demensional Analysis approach. We were told to go w/ whatever method we wanted as long as we got the correct answer. I was determined to stick w/ ratio/proportion because I could not wrap my brain around the DA. So many people were having such sucess w/ it though I went through my book (Calculate w/ Confidence) and figured it out and it really made things a lot simpler for me. I have yet to miss a dosage calculation over six tests and our prof likes to throw some screwy ones in on us. So if you're using something other than DA you might just want to check it out and see how it works for you.

tlc2u · Nov 9, 2009

Peytonsmom,

I was just curious if you liked that book (Calculate with Confidence). Our school used that book as well and for the math that our instructors emphasized the book was not a good match. Our instructors presented us with many problems of 1/150 of a grain and 1/300 of a grain but in hindsite I now realize there are only a handful of those problems scattered throughout the book.

I found the book lacked enough practice problems like the type our instructors gave us on tests.

If anyone else is struggling with this book I recommend looking for a better resource.

peytonsmom · Nov 9, 2009

tlc - I have to admit that the only time I picked up the book was to go through the DA part. :imbar: Math is a subject that comes fairly easy to me so once I figure out how to set the problems up I don't usually spend a lot of time on practice problems. For what I used it for, figuring out DA, I didn't have a problem with it.