Page 456 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

Box 14-10

Infusions Prescribed by Unit Dosage per Hour
Calculation of these problems can be done using a 2-step process.

1. Determine the amount of medication per milliliter (mL).
2. Determine the infusion rate or milliliters per hour.

Problem 1

Prescription: Continuous heparin sodium by IV at 1000 units per hour
Available: IV bag of 500 mL D W with 20,000 units of heparin sodium
5
How many milliliters per hour are required to administer the correct dose?

Solution

Step 1: Calculate the amount of medication (units) per 1 mL.

Step 2: Calculate milliliters per hour.

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