Please Check My Med Calc!!!!!

[LuvScrubs2, BSN, RN]

The physican orders dopamine 5mcg/kg/min. the supply is dopamine 400mg vial/5ml. the Nursing reference:dilute each 400mg vial in 250ml of saline sol. the client's weight is 110kg.

How many milliters will you draw up from the vial?

What is the ml/hr to set the pump.

I use the dimensional analysis.........:wink2:

5mcg x 50kg = 250 mcg/min.

0.25mg/min x 60min = 15mg/hr.

ml/hr = 250ml/400mg x 15mg/hr = 9.375 = 9ml/hr to set the pump.

the next quest: how many ml will draw up from the vial. ( for this one i wanted to make sure). is it 5 because 400mgvial/5ml? can someone show me this part for calculating..... thanks

[FlyingScot, RN]

You've done a good job. Just needs a tweak. The pump should be set at 9.4 ml/hr although you were on the right track as we usually round up or down for IV fluids. In this case the 10ths do make a difference so the Dopamine should be run on a pump that can accommodate them. My experience is we usually convert all milligrams to micrograms since that is the dose ordered but you got the same answer your way so there's nothing wrong with it. I'm assuming the weight in the case study should have read 110 lbs and that's why you converted to 50 kg. If not then you need to recalculate. As far as how much to draw up from the vial well now you're overthinking it. If you want 400mg and there's 400mg in 5 ml then how much do you think you need? Sure you can do the calculation but do you really need to?:wink2:

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

the physician orders dopamine 5mcg/kg/min. the supply is dopamine 400mg vial/5ml. the nursing reference: dilute each 400mg vial in 250ml of saline solution. the client's weight is 110lbs. how many milliter will you draw up from the vial?

the entire

5 ml

of the vial. you are preparing a bag to be hung for iv infusion.

what is the ml/hr to set the pump.

250 ml/400 mg

(dose on hand) x

5 mcg/kg/minute

(dose desired)

x 110 pounds

(child's weight)

/2.2 pounds

(conversion to kg)

x 60 minutes/hour

(conversion factor)

x 1 mg/1000 mcg

(conversion factor)

= 9.375 ml/hour

, rounded to

9 ml/hour

[Fig77]

How did you guys get 5ml as an answer for the first part? I was assuming a conversion will be involved.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

it is information that is given in the problem. they want you to put the entire 400 mg in 250 ml of saline.

the physician orders dopamine 5mcg/kg/min. the supply is dopamine 400mg vial/5ml. the nursing reference: dilute each 400mg vial in 250ml of saline solution. the client's weight is 110lbs. how many milliter will you draw up from the vial?

today, these bags of dopamine come premixed with the dopamine already in the bag of d5w.

• http://www.drugs.com/ppa/dopamine-hydrochloride.html - vials
  
• http://www.drugs.com/pro/dopamine-and-dextrose.html - premixed iv