Question

An order reads “Vancomycin 1.5g IVPB now”. The pharmacy sends an IV bag of Vancomycin 1500 mg diluted in 250 mL 0.45% sodium chloride solution. The IV must run over 2.5 hours. Calculate the mL/hr flow rate. Round to the whole number.

Answer 1

Medicine to be administered - Vancomycin 1.5 g IVPB over 2.5 hours

Available medicine - Vancomycin 1500 mg / 250 ml 0.45% of sodium chloride

To calculate desired volume/hour, use the formula

Volume (mL) Time (hr)

= Y (Flow Rate in mL/hr)

here volume is 250 ml of sodium chloride mixed with vancomycin

and time is 2.5 hrs

So putting into the formula

250 ml = 100 ml/hr

2.5 hr

Vancomycin 1.5 gm in 250 ml NS, must go at the rate of 100 ml /hr   

( Vancomycin 1.5 gm when converted to mg, is 1500 mg. so the dosage is not varied)