Question

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?

Answer 1

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.

Now, 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