Question

Calculation: Th e nitroglycerin is set to infuse at 9 mL/h. Th e concentration is 25 mg of nitroglycerin in 250 mL 0.9% NS. Calculate the micrograms per hour.

Short answer

The infusion rate of nitroglycerin is 900 micrograms per hour.

Step-by-step solution

Calculate the concentration of nitroglycerin in one milliliter.

Since there are 25 milligrams of nitroglycerin in 250 milliliters of solution, the concentration of nitroglycerin per milliliter is calculated as follows: \( Concentration = \frac{25 mg}{250 mL} = 0.1 mg/mL \)

Convert milligrams to micrograms.

Since 1 milligram equals 1000 micrograms, the concentration of nitroglycerin in a milliliter will be \( Concentration = 0.1 mg/mL * 1000 \mu g/mg = 100 \mu g/mL \)

Calculate the infusion rate in micrograms per hour.

The infusion rate in micrograms per hour is calculated by multiplying the hourly rate by the concentration of nitroglycerin in a milliliter: \( Infusion Rate = 100 \mu g/mL * 9 mL/h = 900 \mu g/h \).

Key concepts

Medication Dosage Calculation

Mastering medication dosage calculations is essential for nursing professionals to ensure patient safety and proper treatment. This task often requires a two-step process: determining the correct dose of medication and then calculating how this medication should be administered based on the drug’s concentration and the desired delivery method.

In our example with nitroglycerin infusion, the first step starts with basic division to determine the concentration of the medication in each milliliter of the solution. This involves a foundational understanding of proportions and unit conversions, crucial aspects of medication dosage calculations. Subsequently, converting milligrams to micrograms, as drug dosages are often prescribed in different units, requires an understanding of the metric system. Here, knowing that one milligram equals 1,000 micrograms is fundamental.

These calculations are indispensable in creating a safe therapeutic environment for the patient. Missing a step or miscalculating can lead to administering an incorrect dosage, which can have serious repercussions. For those dealing with these calculations, practice coupled with a thorough understanding of the concepts involved is key to proficiency.

Nursing Pharmacology

Nursing pharmacology revolves around the study of drugs and their effects on the human body. It is vital for nurses to understand the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to safely administer medications and monitor their effectiveness.

Nurses must be well-versed in concepts such as medication concentration—which is the amount of a drug in a given volume of solution, like the 25 mg of nitroglycerin in 250 mL of 0.9% NS in our problem. Understanding drug concentrations allows nurses to calculate dosages accurately, adjusting them to the individual needs of each patient. Knowledge of various medication forms (tablet, injection, infusion, etc.), how they are metabolized by the body, and their potential side effects is also a critical component of nursing pharmacology.

With the incorporation of rigorous pharmacology education in their training, nurses are better equipped to detect potential medication errors, understand drug interactions, and provide comprehensive care.

Drug Infusion Rate

The drug infusion rate is a critical calculation for administering intravenous medications. It indicates the speed at which a drug is to be given to the patient, typically measured in milliliters per hour (mL/h). For patients who require precise dosage, as is the case with nitroglycerin, determining the correct infusion rate is crucial.

To calculate the infusion rate in micrograms per hour, as shown in the example, nurses must apply their knowledge of dosage calculations by factoring in the drug’s concentration and the volume of the IV fluid to be infused over time. This competency ensures that patients receive a continuous and therapeutically beneficial level of medication. Understanding how to manipulate infusion rates allows nurses to tailor the administration of drugs based on the prescribed medication regimen, ultimately ensuring optimal patient outcomes and safety.