Question

Calculate the dosage of heparin you will administer, and shade the dosage on the syringe provided. Order: Heparin 16,000 units subcut stat. Available: Heparin labeled 20,000 units per mL.

Short answer

Administer 0.8 mL of heparin to give 16,000 units.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Problem

We need to calculate how much volume of heparin solution needs to be administered to give a patient 16,000 units. We know that the available heparin solution has a concentration of 20,000 units per mL.

Set Up a Proportion

To find the volume that contains 16,000 units, we set up a proportion: \ \frac{20,000 \text{ units}}{1 \text{ mL}} = \frac{16,000 \text{ units}}{x \text{ mL}}. Here, \(x\) represents the volume we need to find.

Solve for x

Cross-multiply to solve for \(x\): \ 20,000 \times x = 16,000 \times 1. Solve this equation to find that \( x = \frac{16,000}{20,000} \).

Calculate the Volume

\( x = \frac{16,000}{20,000} = 0.8 \text{ mL}.\) This means you need to administer 0.8 mL of the heparin solution.

Shade the Syringe

On the syringe provided, shade up to the 0.8 mL mark to indicate the correct dosage.

Key concepts

Proportion Method

The proportion method is a helpful mathematical tool to solve medication dosage problems. It involves setting up a comparison between two ratios to find an unknown value. In our exercise, we are tasked with administering a specific dose of heparin, a blood thinner, based on its concentration in a vial.

Using proportions allows us to easily determine the volume of medication needed from the available concentration. Here's how it works:

• Identify the known ratio: In the problem, we know the vial contains 20,000 units of heparin per mL.
• Set up the equation: We equate this to the required dose of 16,000 units over the unknown volume ( \( x \) mL): \[ \frac{20,000 \text{ units}}{1 \text{ mL}} = \frac{16,000 \text{ units}}{x \text{ mL}} \]
• Solve for the unknown: By cross-multiplying and simplifying, we find \( x = 0.8 \) mL, which tells us the exact volume to administer.

The proportion method is straightforward, making it a popular choice in dosage calculations. Understanding how to set up and solve proportions ensures accurate medication dispensing.

Heparin Administration

Heparin is an anticoagulant medication commonly used to prevent blood clots. In healthcare settings, precise dosage is critical given the potential risks of either underdosing or overdosing. Administering the correct heparin dosage involves understanding both the medical order and the characteristics of the preparation on hand.

Here are essential points for heparin administration:

• Order Confirmation: In our scenario, the order specifies 16,000 units subcutaneously (under the skin), administered immediately (stat).
• Concentration Check: Ensure that the heparin concentration on the vial (20,000 units/mL) matches what you use in your calculations. Misreading the concentration can lead to dosing errors.
• Injection Technique: Heparin should be administered with care to avoid tissue damage. Common sites include the abdomen or thigh.
• Monitoring: Regular monitoring of the patient's blood clotting times, like activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), helps ensure safe and effective use of heparin.

Correct heparin administration prevents complications and promotes patient safety, making it crucial to adhere to these guidelines.

Volume Measurement

Accurate volume measurement is essential in administering intravenous or subcutaneous medications, such as heparin. Understanding how to read and interpret measurement marks on a syringe can prevent potentially harmful dosing errors.

Key aspects of volume measurement include:

• Syringe Calibration: Pay close attention to the calibration markings on the syringe, specifically noting the volume of medication between each line.
• Precision: Ensure that you measure exactly 0.8 mL in the case of our heparin calculation. The plunger should align with the correct marking to avoid deviations.
• Technique: Hold the syringe at eye level when measuring to ensure accuracy. It's best to avoid any parallax errors that could happen with a misaligned view.
• Verification: Double-check the marked dosage before administering to confirm that it reflects the calculated volume of the medication.

These practices ensure that medications are delivered in the correct quantity, crucial for their intended therapeutic effects and patient safety.