Natrecor IV Rates

[tammy_zeidan09]

So I have been doing drip rates and conversions first and second semester. Now third semesters, it's getting a bit trickier, I think.

here is an example and my work is shown below. Am I doing this right?! I feel like the ml/hr is such a small amount compared to 150/ml hr i am getting small amounts lke 8ml/hr and so on:

The physician ordered Natrecor 0.01mcg/kg/min. The patient's weight is 80kg. The Natrecor bag has 1.5mg in 250mls.

set pump at: 8mls/hr,

which will deliver: 48 mcg/hr

or: 0.048 mg/hr

my work:

0.01mcg x 80kg = 0.8mcg x 1mg/1000mcg = 0.0008mg

0.0008mg x 60min = 0.048mg/hr x 1000mcg/1mg = 48 mcg/hr

0.048mg/1hr x 1.5mg/xhr -> 1.5/0.048 -> x=31.25 hours.

So, it takes 31.25 hours for the 250mL of the Natrecor bag to infuse. Thus, I would set the pump at 8ml/hr?

Is this correct?

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

Yes, you are correct and your math is correct.

Personally, I find it easier to work with the numbers with the fewest decimal places, so I would convert everything to mcg rather than mg, but if you're comfortable with the decimals, keep doing what you're doing. Just be sure to double check on tests (and in real life!!) because those zeros can be tricky.

0.01 mcg/kg/min x 80 kg = 0.8 mcg/min

0.8mcg/min x 60 minutes/hour =48 mcg/hr

1.5mg/250 mL x 1000 mcg/mg = 1500 mcg/250mL

1500mcg / 250 mL = 6 mcg/mL

48mcg/hr / 6mcg/mL = 8mL/hr

Vasoactive medications are quite powerful. Often when you are giving them to a patient it is because they are in critical condition (in the case of Natrecor it's used in patients with acute CHF) and reducing the total volume of fluid that they are given is very important to managing their condition. So that's why these medications tend to be so highly concentrated and will be given in much smaller volumes. Don't be thrown off by a small rate. In pediatrics, vasoactive medications are often given at rates of 0.5mL/hr or even less if it's a neonate.

[tammy_zeidan09]

oh gotchya!!

I am currently doing my peds now, so hopefully by the time i finish this rotation i'll better understand the average rates and such!

I feel great now! thank you so much, Ashley!