Work this problem, please

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Your patient is to receive KCl 10meq IV q 12h. Meds come from the pharmacy diluted in 50mL D5W. The nurse knows the max rate of administration should not exceed 20 mEq/hour. So the max rate for the ordered dose should be no faster than...

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

We don't mind helping with homework questions, but we will not do the work for you. Show us what you've got so far.

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I am thinking that since it should not exceed 20meq per hr then 10meq should run for 1/2 hr. I am home studying to do my exam but i have a problem with pharmacology so i am working as much problems as i can.

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I am thinking that since it should not exceed 20meq per hr then 10meq should run for 1/2 hr. I am home studying to do my exam but i have a problem with pharmacology so i am wrking as much prob as i can.

Correct. Keep in mind this statement, though: "the nurse knows that the max rate of administration..."

If this is an inpatient and/or the patient is not in a hurry, I'd run it over a little more than 30 mins.

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Specializes in Pedi.
I am thinking that since it should not exceed 20meq per hr then 10meq should run for 1/2 hr. I am home studying to do my exam but i have a problem with pharmacology so i am wrking as much prob as i can.

So in order to give 10 mEq over half an hour, at what rate do you set your pump? That's what this question is asking. Look at all the information you're given.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
I am thinking that since it should not exceed 20meq per hr then 10meq should run for 1/2 hr. I am home studying to do my exam but i have a problem with pharmacology so i am wrking as much prob as i can.

That's not a pharmacology problem it's a basic math word problem. You don't need any pharmacology knowledge to do this problem, just basic math and English.

You need to give 50mL over 30mins, what is the rate per hour?

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Don't overthink this. This is why you had to pass high school algebra to be admitted to a nursing program.

BostonFNP is right. As a matter of fact, almost all the "pharmacology" dosing questions aren't pharmacology at all, but basic word problems solved with basic algebra. Draw pictures if you have to-- many people find this helpful. Sometimes it really is that simple.

Now that you know how to think about it, what's the answer?

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Thank you all for answering...I totally agree with you Boston fnp...

I am going to continue to do my best. I wish it was that easy for me...math ,that is. Everthing else I do well at. I'm just going to have to work harder.

Hey...you guys have a good night...peace

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

OP.....Welcome to AN! The largest online nursing community!

As you study for NCLEX......everything can be overwhelming.

So... Your patient is to receive KCl 10meq IV q 12h. Meds come from the pharmacy diluted in 50mL D5W. The nurse knows the max rate of administration should not exceed 20 mEq/hour.

You have 10meg of KCL in 50cc's of D5W.....what is he fastest that you can give this when you know that you can't give more the 20meq per hour....or 10meq per 30 min. If you can't give the KCL faster than 10meq per 30 min...how fast does the pump need to be set to deliver the 10meq of KCL over 30 min.

So the max rate for the ordered dose should be no faster than......

These sites will help you.

DosageHelp.com - Helping Nursing Students Learn Dosage Calculations

http://www.nr.edu/nursing/pdf/dosecalculationstudyguide.pdf

http://www.davesems.com/files/drug_dose_calculations.pdf

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[TD=class: numerator][/TD]

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[TD=class: denominator][/TD]

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
Thank you all for answering...I totally agree with you Boston fnp...

I am going to continue to do my best. I wish it was that easy for me...math ,that is. Everthing else I do well at. I'm just going to have to work harder.

Hey...you guys have a good night...peace

These type of problems throw lots of words at you to try and confuse you, but focus on the numbers you have.

You need an answer that is in mL per hour. You have the number of minutes (30) and the number of mL (50). You only need to add in a conversion to get mins to hours for your answer.

How many minutes in an hour?

50mL/30mins x 60mins/1hr = what?

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Esmie12

I really appreciate the information you have given me. It has helped me alot. Thanks for your kindness. It tells just how caring you are.

In life we all want to succeed. I wish u all the best .

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

This post has been heavily edited for posts the were divisive and rude that derailed the thread. Allnurses.....

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This thread was about help for the OP need math assistance. Let's please stick to the topic.
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