math time - please help

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i dont know whats wrong with me but for some reason i just cant seem to figure out how to do this kind of math problem...even with the answer i cant get how to derive at the answer... i'm not dumb..i'm swear (maybe just in the last couple of days or so) any help on how you arrive at the answer is greatly appreciated..

"a septic client with hypotension is being treated with dopamine hydrochloride (inotropin). the nurse asks a colleague to double-check the dosage that the client is receiving. there are 400 mg of dopamine hydrochloride in 250 ml, the infusion pump is running at 23 ml/hour, and the client weighs 79.5 kg. how many micrograms per kilogram per minute is the client receiving? "

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ahhh i got it! after much yelling at my paper and pencil i finally figured out what i was doing wrong. but please feel free to post the way you would figure this out..might be a lot simpler then mine! :idea:

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Specializes in L&D, NICU, Med/Surg,.

not sure, but I'm getting 0.129 or 0.13mcg/kg/min. Am I close?

I have to use dimentional analysis to get my math to come out.

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Specializes in Ambulatory.

I have a completely different answer. Dont want to confuse you, since I' not that confident myself. Can you please post the correct answer though? Thanks

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sorry i didnt even realize i didnt post the right answer....the answer is dun dun dun....7.71 mcg/kg/min. :yeah:

double checked with the book and its is correct. believe me i came up with some interesting answers before i reached this one. :bugeyes:

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interesting question! but i'm on a mess too haha... Confused! Can you please post the solution. Anyone?:banghead:

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Specializes in Ambulatory.

hehehehe yay i got the same answer, just wasnt confident enough...

I used dimentional anaylsis and for 613 mcg/min, then just divided that into 79.5kg. good work! :yeah:

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hehehehe yay i got the same answer, just wasnt confident enough...

I used dimentional anaylsis and for 613 mcg/min, then just divided that into 79.5kg. good work! :yeah:

THANKS studentinprogress, thats how i eventually came down to it and it worked as well. it was a question i got in my nclex 3500 review.

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Specializes in L&D, NICU, Med/Surg,.

OK... Got it. Thanks. I had my equation all set up wrong... Shoulda had the mcg on the top and not on the bottom.

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my solution to this problem would be:

1. divide 400mg by 250 ml (concentration) = 1.6 mg/ml

2. convert 1.6 mg/ml to mcg that is 1.6 mg x 1000 mcg equals 1600 mcg

3. Multiply the given rate which is 23 mls/hr by the concentration 1600 mcg/ml

23x 1600 = 36800 mcg

4. Multiply 79.5 kg (Wt given) by 60 min (constant min)

79.5 kg x 60 min = 4770 kg/min

5. now divide the total concentration by kg/min

36800 / 4770 = 7.71 or 7.72 mcg/kg/min

hope this clear..more questions please..

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if i come across any more like this one or another tricky-ish one i will def. post it :) 5 days and counting for me to take the nclex rn aghhh! haha

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Specializes in Ambulatory.

Best of luck to you, Mine is in Sep. :D

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