medical dosage problem

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Cardiology, Telemetry, Home Health Care.

I have a medical dosage problem and it has been a while since I have had to calculate. Can someone help?

20,000 units of heparin in 500 ml NS

Give 2000 units/hr drip factor 15gtts/ml

? how many ml/hr and how many gtts/min

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Is it 13 gtt/min?

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Would it be 50ml/hr?

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500ml/20,000 U X 2000 U/1 hr = 50ml/hr

50ml/hr X 1hr/60 min X 15 gtts/ 1ml = 12.5 gtts/min

I just started learning dosage calc this week so please double check!

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Specializes in Cardiology, Telemetry, Home Health Care.

I believe this is correct. Thank you for the help!!

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Specializes in Cardiology, Telemetry, Home Health Care.

This is a multiple choice question and 13 isn't an option, I think it is 50ml/hr & 12.5gtts/min

Thanks for your help!

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yup 50 ml and 12.45 gtts

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Well I did get 12.5gtts but I rounded to 13...I guess I do remember somethings from schoo...hee hee

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Home Health.

woohoo. At first I was thinking "omg, I havent done a dosage calc in years", But gave it a try anyway. I came up with the same thing. 50ml/hr and 12.5 gtt/minute. Whew, I had to think about it though!

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But u cant give 12.5 gtt/min so one would have to round up to 13, no???

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Specializes in med-surg.

50 ml/hr and 12.5 gtts/min which rounds up to 13 gtts/min since you can't administer 1/2 a drop.

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That is what I was thinking when I put 13.

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