Need help with math calculations

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Im having problems figuring out how to solve a few problems.

I don't need the answers, just help getting there.

Thank you

1. Doctor's order: IV Lidocaine at 3 mg/min

Drug available: Lidocaine 2 G/250 ml D5W

What rate would you set on the IV pump? ___________ ml/hour

2. Doctor's order: IV Procainamide at 4 mg/min

Drug available: Procainamide 1 G/500 ml D5W

What rate would you set on the IV pump? ___________ ml/hour

3. Doctor's order: Dopamine 5 mcg/kg/min

Drug available: Dopamine 400 mg/250 D5W

Patient weighs =154 pounds

What rate would you set on the IV pump? ___________ ml/hour

4. Dopamine 400 mg/250 D5W is infusing at 10 ml/hour. Patient weighs =154 pounds

How many mcg/kg/min of Dopamine is the patient receiving? ___________ mcg/kg/min

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You sound like you have a fundamental lack of knowledge about what medication math entails. I would go to tutoring, watch youtube videos, etc. to learn more fundamentally how to do these problems. You're not asking for help with these specific questions, you're asking us to teach you how to solve medication math problems in general.

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My school does not offer tutoring. I've tried watching videos, I don't learn well that way. I am asking for help with these specific questions. These are the 4 out of 20 questions that I was not able to solve.

But thanks for your help.

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Specializes in TNCC.

It would be helpful to know which part of the problem you are having trouble with. Conversions? Infusion rate?

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Specializes in Critical care.

Please show us your work so we can help figure out your thoughts/where you are going wrong. Take a picture and post that if you have to. We will be happy to help you, but we won't just give you the answers (which will not do you any good in the long run).

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Specializes in NICU, RNC.

Start by figuring out how many mg are in each mL and then go from there.

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Specializes in Nursey stuff.

1. Doctor's order: IV Lidocaine at 3 mg/min

Drug available: Lidocaine 2 G/250 ml D5W

What rate would you set on the IV pump? ___________ ml/hour

Break it down, you have 2 grams but the order is for mg's, so you have to do some conversions

I know that 1 gm = 1000mg

I have a 250mL bag and it has 2 gm of a drug

250mL 1gm

2gm 1000mg

My drug needs to infuse at 3mg/min

250mL 1gm 3mg

2gm 1000mg min

I know my answer needs to be in hours, and I know 60 minutes = 1 hour

250mL 1gm 3mg 60min

2gm 1000mg min 1 hr

Okay, now we converted gm to mg, and minutes to hours, so we multiply… strike out what you have two of… and you are left with mL/hr. Isn't this what your answer is suppose to be?

250mL 1gm 3mg 60min = Remember your rounding rules (5 and greater round up)

2gm 1000mg min 1 hr

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Specializes in Nursey stuff.

Oh if you further help let me know. :clown:

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I understand conversions, its the infusions rate where I start to get confused.

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I will do that next time. I never asked for the answer. I'm actually trying to learn how to do this.

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Ladyscrubs, MSN Thank you! Very helpful.
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I will do that next time. I never asked for the answer. I'm actually trying to learn how to do this.

That's why previous posters have asked that you show what you have done. This better allows us to help you, if we can see where you're problems.

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