Question

Using conversion factors, solve each of the following clinical problems:

a. A nurse practitioner prepares $500.\mathrm{mL}$of an IV of normal saline solution to be delivered at a rate of $80.\mathrm{mL}/\mathrm{h}$. What is the infusion time, in hours, to deliver $500.\mathrm{mL}$?

b. A nurse practitioner orders Medrol to be given $1.5\mathrm{mg}/\mathrm{kg}$of body weight. Medrol is an anti-inflammatory administered as an intramuscular injection. If a child weighs $72.6\mathrm{lb}$and the available stock of Medrol is $20.\mathrm{mg}/\mathrm{mL}$, how many milliliters does the nurse administer to the child?

Short answer

(a) The infusion time to deliver $500\mathrm{mL}$is $6.3\mathrm{h}$

(b) The $2.5\mathrm{mL}$nurse administers to the child.

Step-by-step solution

Part (a) Step 1: Given information

We need to find out the infusion time in hours to deliver$500\mathrm{mL}$

Part (a) Step 2: Explanation

We know that

The $80\mathrm{mL}/\mathrm{h}$means $80\mathrm{mL}=1\mathrm{h}$

Therefore, infusion time to deliver $500\mathrm{mL}$is,

$\frac{1\mathrm{h}}{80\cancel{\mathrm{mL}}}\times 500\cancel{\mathrm{mL}}=6.3\mathrm{h}$

Part (b) Step 1: Given information

We need to find the volume that nurse administer to the child

Part (b) Step 2: Explanation

We know that

The $1\mathrm{kg}=2.20\mathrm{lb}$

And as given $1.5\mathrm{mg}=1\mathrm{kg}$

And $20\mathrm{mg}=1\mathrm{mL}$

Therefore, the volume that nurse administer to the child is,

$\frac{1\cancel{\mathrm{kg}}}{2.20\cancel{\mathrm{lb}}}\times \frac{1\mathrm{mL}}{20\cancel{\mathrm{mg}}}\times \frac{1.5\cancel{\mathrm{mg}}}{1\cancel{\mathrm{kg}}}\times 72.6\mathrm{lb}=2.5\mathrm{mL}$