Need help with a dosage problem?

A nurse has an order to start magnesium sulfate on a preterm labor client. The order reads: Give a 4-g bolus over 15 minutes, then decrease the rate to 2g/hour. The nurse has 50 g of magnesium sulfate mixed in 1000 mL of lactated Ringer's on hand. What is the rate the nurse will set the pump rate to deliver the 2-g maintenance dose? Record your answer using a whole number.

Specializes in Pediatric ICU.

But yes, if you noticed at the bottom of my post the equation is just V/H x D. Which is literally equivalent to D/H x V. Just the way I learned. Same basic equation, some people just learn differently. And again, all the other stuff is just details. Just in case either the OP, or someone else that might be out there that learns the way I do.

40ml?

No, 40 mL is not correct.

As with the OP, how did you get this answer?

You might want to check your first sentence... Im coming up with that answer too.

[...]

Thank you, I stand corrected. I obviously stopped reading after the 4 gram bolus.

Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
chare said:
Thank you, I stand corrected. I obviously stopped reading after the 4 gram bolus.

Even us experienced nurses sometimes fall for the extraneous information.

Rose_Queen said:
Even us experienced nurses sometimes fall for the extraneous information.

Yes, we do. This emphasizes the need for independent second checks.

That's one way to do it, but does include extra steps. The formula desired (2g)/ have (50g) x volume (1000mL) would have given you the same answer in fewer steps. D/H x V was always an acceptable formula in all of my nursing classes.

Thank you for this info! Can I use this equation when I have drop factors or mg/kg conversions?

I am applying gir nursing school September first have I have been just teaching myself as I go.

Any help would be great.

Thank you

40mL is not correct. 40 mL is a volume, not a rate. 40mL/hr is correct.

It's not semantics.

I was not putting the answer to satisfy your idea of correctness. I was just helping nudge in the right direction.

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