Published Jul 30, 2012
blynn9173
303 Posts
Problem: 400 mg of Dopamine in 250 ML, pump running at 23 ML/HR, client weighs 79.5. How many MCG per kilogram per minute is patient receiving? NCLEX IS TOMORROW. I am going over math questions and I can't get this one to come out to the right answer. Can someone please work this out step by step for me. It has been a while since I have done this. Thanks.
begosh
425 Posts
Here's a link with various calculations: https://allnurses.com/nclex-discussion-forum/may-nclex-takers-294592-page76.html
LetItBe_12
46 Posts
I'm not sure if I have it right but here is what I got:
(400mg/250ml) x (23ml/hr) = 36.8 mg/hr
(36.8 mg/hr) x (1000 mcg /1 mg) = 36,800 mcg/hr
36,800 mcg/hr x (1 hr/60 min) = 613.3 mcg/min
Then divide that answer by the weight
(613.3 mcg/ min) / (79.5) = 7.7 or if need a whole number round to 8 ( depending on what question asks for)
8 mcg/kg/min
I could be wrong or misread the question. Hope this helps though. Good luck.
I also assumed the weight you gave was already in kg if it was pounds though I believe the answer would be more like 17.
Thank you so much. Now I know how to work the problem. That was the right answer. I just couldn't figure out how to get there. I hope I don't get this on my NCLEX but if I do I know how to work it. :)
Your welcome. My advice is just take your time. For me anyway I always make sure I cross out the units like ml or mg or whatever when I finish converting. It can be so easy to forget something in a long problem like that. Good luck tomorrow. :)
Thank you!