Question

Calculate the dosage of heparin you will administer, and shade the dosage on the syringe provided. Order: Heparin 17,000 units subcut daily. Available: Heparin labeled 20,000 units per mL.

Short answer

Administer 0.85 mL of Heparin.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Problem

You are ordered to administer 17,000 units of Heparin. The vial or syringe available has Heparin at a concentration of 20,000 units per mL.

Calculate the Volume Needed

You need to calculate how much volume (in mL) contains 17,000 units of Heparin. Use the formula: \[ \text{Volume (mL)} = \frac{\text{Desired Dose (units)}}{\text{Concentration of Solution (units per mL)}} \] Substituting the given values: \[ \text{Volume (mL)} = \frac{17,000 \text{ units}}{20,000 \text{ units/mL}} = 0.85 \text{ mL} \]

Shade the Syringe

Based on the calculation, measure out 0.85 mL on the syringe, and shade or mark this amount on the illustrated syringe to indicate the correct dosage.

Key concepts

Understanding Heparin Administration

Heparin is a medication often used to prevent and treat blood clots in the veins, arteries, or lungs. Administering heparin requires careful attention to detail because it involves precise dosages. In the medical field, exact dosages are vital in ensuring effective treatment while avoiding potential side effects. Heparin is given in units, which are a standard measurement in medicine for potency rather than weight or volume.
When you are ordered to give heparin subcutaneously (under the skin), you receive a specific order like "17,000 units daily." This order indicates how much of the drug you need to prepare and administer.

• Check the patient’s chart for any allergies or previous reactions to heparin.
• Ensure you have the correctly labeled syringe or vial.
• Follow the five rights of medication administration: right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, and right time.

Staying vigilant throughout this process ensures patient safety and effective anticoagulation treatment.

Unit Conversion in Dosage Calculation

Unit conversion is a fundamental skill in healthcare, particularly in medication administration. In the context of heparin administration, converting units is essential because medication labels might have different unit concentrations than the dose required. Most medications, including heparin, are provided in a set concentration, like "20,000 units per mL."
To determine how much liquid you need for the ordered dose, use the formula: \[ \text{Volume (mL)} = \frac{\text{Desired Dose (units)}}{\text{Concentration of Solution (units per mL)}} \]In our exercise, the desired dose was 17,000 units, and the solution concentration was 20,000 units per mL. Plug these numbers into the formula:\[ \text{Volume (mL)} = \frac{17,000 \text{ units}}{20,000 \text{ units/mL}} = 0.85 \text{ mL} \]

• Double-check calculations to prevent dosage errors.
• Use a calculator or dosage chart if available for accuracy.
• Be familiar with common concentrations for more straightforward conversions.

Such conversions ensure you administer the correct dosage, critical in avoiding underdosing or overdosing.

Measuring Volume for Medication Administration

Accurate volume measurement is crucial to administering the correct heparin dose. Once you have calculated the required dosage volume, the next step is using a syringe to measure it precisely. Syringes are marked with units of volume, usually in milliliters (mL), alongside smaller increments for precise measurement.
For the calculated dose of 0.85 mL, you will need to carefully draw up the heparin solution, making sure to align the plunger with the 0.85 mL mark on the syringe.

• Read the syringe at eye level to ensure accuracy.
• Draw the medication slowly to avoid introducing air bubbles.
• Stroke the syringe barrel if necessary to remove air bubbles.
• Ensure the correct part of the meniscus aligns with the mark.

Marking or shading the syringe helps confirm the dosage before administration, acting as a final check in the process. Proper volume measurement is one of several steps that work together to safeguard patient care in medical settings.