MEDizzy - A man weighs 165 lb. and is being treated for shock. The

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Pharmacological and Parentral Therapies

A man weighs 165 lb. and is being treated for shock. The nurse is preparing a dopamine hydrochloride infusion to start at 5 mcg/kg/min. The nurse has prepared the following to infuse: dopamine 400 mg in 250 mL D5W. Which of the following rates of infusion should the nurse choose?

ExplanationThe correct rate of infusion is 14 mL/hour, arrived at as follows: First convert 165 lb. to kg by dividing by 2.2 (75 kg). Then, convert 400 mg/250 mL to mcg/mL by dividing 400 mg/250 mL and multiplying the result (1.6 mg/mL) by 1,000 (1,600 mcg/m). Next, multiply the weight (75 kg) by the ordered dose (5 mcg/kg/min), and multiply the result (375 mcg/min) by 60. This equals 22,500 mcg/hr. Calculate mL/hr by dividing 22,500 mcg/hr by 1,600 mcg/mL. The appropriate rate is 14 mL/hr.