Question

The prescriber orders esmolol (Brevibloc) 50 mcg/kg/minute IV infusion. The pharmacy sends up the IV bag labeled esmolol (Brevibloc) 2.5 gm in 250 mL of D5W. The client weighs 175 lbs. the nurse will infuse the IV at how many milliliters per hour? __________mL/h. (Round to the nearest tenth)

Answer 1

*Calculation of ml/hr.

ml/hr = Volume(ml)/Time(hr).

Calculation of volume(ml)

Volume(ml) = Desired dose/Dose in hand * Quantity.

Here

Ordered dose = 50 mcg/kg/min.

Weight of the patient = 175 lbs.

Convert lbs to kg for calculation

1 lbs = 0.454 kg.

So

Weight of the patient = 175 * 0.454

= 79.45 kg.

Desired dose for this patient = 50 * 79.45

= 3972.5 mcg/min.

Dose in hand = 2,5 gm.

Convert gm to mcg for calculation

1 gm = 1000000

So

Dose in hand = 2.5 * 1000000

= 2500000 mcg.

Quantity = 250 ml.

As per above formula

Volume(ml) = 3972.5/2500000 * 250

= 0.0016 * 250

= 0.4 ml.

Time = 1 min.

Convert ml/min to ml/hr by multiply with 60 min.

ml/hr = 0.4 * 60

= 24 ml/hr.