Question

A patient who weighs 259 lb is prescribed to receive nesiritide (Natrecor) 2 mcg/kg as an intravenous bolus. The drug available is 1.5 mg/5 mL. How many milliliters of the drug will you prepare to make the correct dose?

Answer 1

Weight of the patient = 259 lb = 259/2.2 = 117.7 = 118 kg

Prescribed order of Nesiritide = 2 mcg/kg

Prescribed order of Nesiritide for 118 kg patient = 2 x 118 = 236 mcg= 236 1000 = 0.236 mg

Availble dose of nesiritide = 1.5 mg/5 ml

ml of Nesiritide needed to prepare correct dose = (Prescribed order Available dose )x Volume of available drug

= (0.236mg 1.5 mg)x 5 ml

= 0.78

= 0.8 ml