Question

Calculate the units as indicated by the problem. Use labels where provided to calculate dosages. Order: Infuse 1,400 units/hr of heparin IV. Available: Heparin 40,000 units in \(1,000 \mathrm{~mL}\) of \(\mathrm{D} 5 \mathrm{~W}\) Calculate the rate in \(\mathrm{mL} / \mathrm{hr}\).

Short answer

The infusion rate is 35 mL/hr.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Given Values

The problem states that 40,000 units of heparin are available in 1,000 mL of D5W. The order is to infuse 1,400 units per hour. Our task is to find out how many milliliters per hour this corresponds to.

Determine Units per mL

Calculate how many units of heparin are in each milliliter of solution. The formula is:\[\text{Units per mL} = \frac{\text{Total units available}}{\text{Total volume (mL)}}\]This becomes:\[\frac{40,000 \text{ units}}{1,000 \text{ mL}} = 40 \text{ units/mL}\]

Calculate Infusion Rate in mL/hr

To find the mL per hour, divide the desired rate in units per hour by the units per mL calculated.The formula is:\[\text{Rate in } mL/hr = \frac{\text{Desired rate in units/hr}}{\text{Units per mL}}\]So,\[\frac{1,400 \text{ units/hr}}{40 \text{ units/mL}} = 35 \text{ mL/hr}\]

Verify the Calculation

Re-check the division to ensure accuracy. We divide 1,400 by 40, which equals 35. This confirms our calculation is correct.

Key concepts

Heparin Infusion

Heparin infusion is a common medical practice used to prevent and treat blood clots. It involves the administration of the anticoagulant drug Heparin intravenously, or directly into the bloodstream. Heparin helps maintain a smooth blood flow, preventing the formation of harmful clots.
This is especially important for patients at risk of thromboembolic disorders. To ensure therapeutic effectiveness while avoiding complications like bleeding, precise dosage calculation is critical. Understanding the method of calculating the amount of Heparin administered is key to safe and effective treatment.

Units per Milliliter

Units per milliliter (units/mL) is a measure representing the concentration of a drug within a solution. In medical dosage, it's crucial to know how many units of medication are contained in each milliliter of liquid.
For Heparin, calculating this value requires dividing the total units of Heparin available by the total volume of the solution. For instance, if you have 40,000 units of Heparin in 1,000 mL of solution, there are 40 units of Heparin for every milliliter (i.e., 40,000 units / 1,000 mL = 40 units/mL). Knowing this helps in accurately determining the correct flow rate for administering the drug.

Infusion Rate

The infusion rate tells us how fast a solution should be administered into the body, usually measured in mL/hr (milliliters per hour). For accurate drug delivery, calculating the correct infusion rate is essential.
By using the units per milliliter, you can determine how many milliliters of solution need to be delivered each hour to achieve the desired dosage in units per hour. For instance, if a patient needs 1,400 units of Heparin per hour, and there are 40 units per milliliter, the infusion rate would be 35 mL/hr (calculated as 1,400 units/hr divided by 40 units/mL).
This calculation is vital for ensuring that patients receive the correct amount of medication efficiently and safely.

Medication Dosage

Medication dosage is the regulated amount of a drug that must be administered to achieve the desired therapeutic effect. Precise calculation prevents under or overdosing, ensuring patient safety.
Dosage calculations must consider the drug's concentration in solution, how it is administered, and the patient needs. In our context, knowing the prescribed units of Heparin per hour allows healthcare providers to control the infusion rate accurately.
Inaccurate dosage can lead to complications, such as bleeding with anticoagulants like Heparin, making the dosage calculation crucial to patient care.

Intravenous Infusion

Intravenous (IV) infusion is a method of delivering fluids, including medications, directly into a vein. This approach ensures rapid administration, facilitating immediate effect and precise control over the medication levels in the bloodstream.
IV infusion requires careful monitoring and calculation, as any errors in the dosage or infusion rate can have immediate impacts. In the case of Heparin, continuous and accurate administration is paramount. IV infusion is preferred for medications requiring accurate timing and dosage, like anticoagulants.
It is essential for healthcare providers to ensure both the setup and monitoring of the infusion are done cautiously to maintain safety and efficacy.