mcg/kg/min infusion rate practice problems

IV Flow Rate · 10 problems

Work each problem on paper first, rounding as the question says. Then open the answer to check it and see every step.

For study and exam practice, not for patient care. The orders in these problems are written for practice. In the clinic, follow the prescriber's order, your facility's protocols, and your pharmacy.

Problem 1
Order: dobutamine 15 mcg/kg/min IV. Available: dobutamine 1 g in 250 mL. The client weighs 95 kg. At how many mL/hr should the nurse set the infusion pump? Record your answer using 1 decimal place.
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Answer: 21.4 mL/hr
1. Concentration = 1,000,000 mcg ÷ 250 mL = 4,000 mcg/mL.
2. Dose per hour = 15 mcg/kg/min × 95 kg × 60 min/hr = 85,500 mcg/hr.
3. mL/hr = 85,500 mcg/hr ÷ 4,000 mcg/mL = 21.38 mL/hr.
4. Below 100 mL/hr the pump is set to the nearest tenth: 21.4 mL/hr.
Problem 2
The client in the cardiac care unit has decreased cardiac output and needs a continuous inotropic infusion. Order: dobutamine 0.75 mcg/kg/min IV. Available: dobutamine 1 g in 250 mL. The client weighs 83 kg. At how many mL/hr should the nurse set the infusion pump? Record your answer using 1 decimal place.
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Answer: 0.9 mL/hr
1. Concentration = 1,000,000 mcg ÷ 250 mL = 4,000 mcg/mL.
2. Dose per hour = 0.75 mcg/kg/min × 83 kg × 60 min/hr = 3,735 mcg/hr.
3. mL/hr = 3,735 mcg/hr ÷ 4,000 mcg/mL = 0.93 mL/hr.
4. Below 100 mL/hr the pump is set to the nearest tenth: 0.9 mL/hr.
Problem 3
The client in the cardiac care unit has decreased cardiac output and needs inotropic support. The prescription reads dobutamine 5 mcg/kg/min IV. The pharmacy supplies dobutamine 250 mg in 250 mL. The client weighs 62 kg. At how many mL/hr should the nurse set the infusion pump? Record your answer using 1 decimal place.
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Answer: 18.6 mL/hr
1. Concentration = 250,000 mcg ÷ 250 mL = 1,000 mcg/mL.
2. Dose per hour = 5 mcg/kg/min × 62 kg × 60 min/hr = 18,600 mcg/hr.
3. mL/hr = 18,600 mcg/hr ÷ 1,000 mcg/mL = 18.6 mL/hr.
4. 18.6 mL/hr is exact, so no rounding is needed.
Problem 4
Order: dobutamine 5 mcg/kg/min IV. Available: dobutamine 500 mg in 250 mL. The client weighs 117 kg. At how many mL/hr should the nurse set the infusion pump? Record your answer using 1 decimal place.
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Answer: 17.6 mL/hr
1. Concentration = 500,000 mcg ÷ 250 mL = 2,000 mcg/mL.
2. Dose per hour = 5 mcg/kg/min × 117 kg × 60 min/hr = 35,100 mcg/hr.
3. mL/hr = 35,100 mcg/hr ÷ 2,000 mcg/mL = 17.55 mL/hr.
4. Below 100 mL/hr the pump is set to the nearest tenth: 17.6 mL/hr.
Problem 5
The nurse is caring for a client in the intensive care unit who has decompensated heart failure and needs inotropic support. Prescription: dobutamine 15 mcg/kg/min IV. Available: dobutamine 250 mg in 250 mL. The client weighs 123 kg. At how many mL/hr should the nurse set the infusion pump? Record your answer using a whole number.
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Answer: 111 mL/hr
1. Concentration = 250,000 mcg ÷ 250 mL = 1,000 mcg/mL.
2. Dose per hour = 15 mcg/kg/min × 123 kg × 60 min/hr = 110,700 mcg/hr.
3. mL/hr = 110,700 mcg/hr ÷ 1,000 mcg/mL = 110.7 mL/hr.
4. At 100 mL/hr or more the pump is set to a whole number: 111 mL/hr.
Problem 6
Order: dobutamine 2.5 mcg/kg/min IV. Available: dobutamine 1 g in 250 mL. The client weighs 139 kg. At how many mL/hr should the nurse set the infusion pump? Record your answer using 1 decimal place.
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Answer: 5.2 mL/hr
1. Concentration = 1,000,000 mcg ÷ 250 mL = 4,000 mcg/mL.
2. Dose per hour = 2.5 mcg/kg/min × 139 kg × 60 min/hr = 20,850 mcg/hr.
3. mL/hr = 20,850 mcg/hr ÷ 4,000 mcg/mL = 5.21 mL/hr.
4. Below 100 mL/hr the pump is set to the nearest tenth: 5.2 mL/hr.
Problem 7
The nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for dopamine 5 mcg/kg/min IV. The nurse has dopamine 400 mg in 250 mL available. The client weighs 46 kg. At how many mL/hr should the nurse set the infusion pump? Record your answer using 1 decimal place.
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Answer: 8.6 mL/hr
1. Concentration = 400,000 mcg ÷ 250 mL = 1,600 mcg/mL.
2. Dose per hour = 5 mcg/kg/min × 46 kg × 60 min/hr = 13,800 mcg/hr.
3. mL/hr = 13,800 mcg/hr ÷ 1,600 mcg/mL = 8.63 mL/hr.
4. Below 100 mL/hr the pump is set to the nearest tenth: 8.6 mL/hr.
Problem 8
Order: dobutamine 7.5 mcg/kg/min IV. Available: dobutamine 250 mg in 250 mL. The client weighs 92 kg. At how many mL/hr should the nurse set the infusion pump? Record your answer using 1 decimal place.
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Answer: 41.4 mL/hr
1. Concentration = 250,000 mcg ÷ 250 mL = 1,000 mcg/mL.
2. Dose per hour = 7.5 mcg/kg/min × 92 kg × 60 min/hr = 41,400 mcg/hr.
3. mL/hr = 41,400 mcg/hr ÷ 1,000 mcg/mL = 41.4 mL/hr.
4. 41.4 mL/hr is exact, so no rounding is needed.
Problem 9
The nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for dopamine 2 mcg/kg/min IV. The nurse has dopamine 800 mg in 250 mL available. The client weighs 64 kg. At how many mL/hr should the nurse set the infusion pump? Record your answer using 1 decimal place.
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Answer: 2.4 mL/hr
1. Concentration = 800,000 mcg ÷ 250 mL = 3,200 mcg/mL.
2. Dose per hour = 2 mcg/kg/min × 64 kg × 60 min/hr = 7,680 mcg/hr.
3. mL/hr = 7,680 mcg/hr ÷ 3,200 mcg/mL = 2.4 mL/hr.
4. 2.4 mL/hr is exact, so no rounding is needed.
Problem 10
Order: dobutamine 3 mcg/kg/min IV. Available: dobutamine 500 mg in 250 mL. The client weighs 119 kg. At how many mL/hr should the nurse set the infusion pump? Record your answer using 1 decimal place.
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Answer: 10.7 mL/hr
1. Concentration = 500,000 mcg ÷ 250 mL = 2,000 mcg/mL.
2. Dose per hour = 3 mcg/kg/min × 119 kg × 60 min/hr = 21,420 mcg/hr.
3. mL/hr = 21,420 mcg/hr ÷ 2,000 mcg/mL = 10.71 mL/hr.
4. Below 100 mL/hr the pump is set to the nearest tenth: 10.7 mL/hr.

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mcg/kg/min infusion rate practice problems

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