Dosage
Calculations
Quiz
A
client
with
hypertension
who
weighs
72.4
kg
is
receiving
an
infusion
of
nitroprusside
(Nipride)
50
mg
in
D5W
250
ml
at
75
ml/hour.
How
many
mcg/kg/minute
is
the
client
receiving?
(Enter
numeric
value
only.
If
rounding
is
required,
round
to
the
nearest
tenth.)
-
ANS
3.5
Calculate
the
mg/hour
infusing,
50
mg
:
250
ml
=
X
:
75
ml
250X
=
3750
and
X
=
15
mg/hour
Next,
convert
mg/hr
to
mcg/hour,
15
mg/hour
=
1
mg
/
1000
mcg
=
15,000
mcg/hour,
then
divide
by
60
min
=
250
mcg/minute
Lastly,
250
mcg/72.4
kg/min
=
3.45
=
3.5
mcg/kg/minute
A
client
receives
a
prescription
for
an
intravenous
infusion
0.45%
sodium
chloride
500
ml
to
be
infused
over
6
hours.
The
nurse
should
program
the
infusion
pump
to
deliver
how
many
ml/hour?
(Enter
numeric
value
only.
If
rounding
is
required,
round
to
the
nearest
whole
number.)
-
ANS
83
Calculate
using
Volume/Time:
500
ml/6
hours
=
83.3
ml/hour
The
healthcare
provider
prescribes
a
continuous
intravenous
infusion
of
dextrose
5%
and
0.45%
sodium
chloride
with
KCl
20
mEq/1000
ml
to
be
delivered
over
8
hours.
The
nurse
should
program
the
infusion
pump
to
deliver
how
many
ml/hour?
(Enter
numeric
value
only.
If
rounding
is
required,
round
to
the
nearest
whole
number.)
-
ANS
125
Using
the
formula
volume/time:
1000
ml/8
hours
=
125
ml/hour
A
client
with
cardiogenic
shock
weighs
220
lb
and
is
receiving
dopamine
at
the
rate
of
3
mcg/kg/minute.
The
solution
strength
available
is
dopamine
400
mg
in
250
ml
of
D5W.
The
nurse
should
set
the
infusion
pump
to
deliver
how
many
ml/hour?
(Enter
numeric
value
only.
If
rounding
is
required,
round
to
the
nearest
tenth.)
-
ANS
11.3
First,
convert
pounds
to
kg,
220
lb
:
X
=
2.2
lb
:
1
kg
=
100
kg
Next,
calculate
the
dosage
per
minute,
3
mcg/kg/min
x
100
kg
=
300
mcg/min
Convert
mcg/min
to
mcg/hour,
300
mcg/min
x
60
min=18,000
mcg/hour
Convert
mcg/hr
to
mg/hour,
18,000
mcg/hr
=
18.0
mg/hour
Calculate
the
rate,
400
mg
:
250
ml
=
18
mg
:
X
ml
400X
=
4500
X
=
11.25
=
11.3
ml.
So,
18
mg/11.3
ml
should
be
infused
at
11.3
ml/hour.
A
client
who
has
a
sinus
infection
is
receiving
a
prescription
for
amoxicillin/clavulanate
potassium
(Augmentin)
500
mg
PO
q8
hours.
The
available
form
is
250
mg
amoxicillin/125mg
clavulanate
tablets.
How
many
tablets
should
the
nurse
administer
for
each
dose?
(Enter
numeric
value
only.)
-
ANS
2
Using
Desired/Available
formula:
500
mg/250
mg
x
1
tablet
=
2