Physiological Integrity

40. A nurse is to administer nitroprusside (Nipride) 4 mcg/kg/min intravenously to a client with severe hypertension who weighs 75 kg .The pharmacy prepares a solution of 50 mg nitroprusside in 500 mL D₅W. The nurse correctly calculates that _______ mL/hr of this medication should be administered to the client.

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Question  Hint

Test-Taking Tip

Don't forget to convert mg to mcg.

Content Area: Adult Health, Pharmacology; Integrated Process: Nursing Process, Implementation; Cognitive Level: Analysis; Client Need/Subneed: Physiological Integrity/Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies/Dosage Calculation

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Physiological Integrity

180

This is a three-step problem. First, calculate the ordered dose. Second, convert milligrams to micrograms. Third, calculate the flow rate.

1. 4 mcg/min × 75 kg = 300 mcg/min
2. 50 mg × 1,000 mcg = 50,000 mcg
3. 50,000 mcg divided by 500 mL = 100 mcg/mL; then 300 mcg/min/100 mcg/mL = 3 mL/min × 60 min = 180 mL/hr

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