A client weighing 86 kg is receiving dopamine at 8 mcg/kg/min. The drug is dispensed as dopamine 800 mg/500 mL. The nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver how many mL/hour?

A client weighing 86 kg is receiving dopamine at 8 mcg/kg/min. The drug is dispensed as dopamine 800 mg/500 mL. The nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver how many mL/hour?

• A. 15.6
• B. 40.0
• C. 25.8
• D. 8.9

Answer: (C)

The amount to deliver per hour is found by converting the weight-based dose to an hourly flow using the drug’s concentration. First, dose per minute: 8 mcg/kg/min × 86 kg = 688 mcg/min. Convert to milligrams: 688 mcg/min = 0.688 mg/min. Per hour: 0.688 mg/min × 60 min = 41.28 mg/hour. The solution has 800 mg in 500 mL, which is 1.6 mg/mL. Now find the volume per hour: 41.28 mg/hour ÷ 1.6 mg/mL = 25.8 mL/hour. Program the infusion pump to 25.8 mL/hour.

The amount to deliver per hour is found by converting the weight-based dose to an hourly flow using the drug’s concentration.

First, dose per minute: 8 mcg/kg/min × 86 kg = 688 mcg/min.

Convert to milligrams: 688 mcg/min = 0.688 mg/min.

Per hour: 0.688 mg/min × 60 min = 41.28 mg/hour.

The solution has 800 mg in 500 mL, which is 1.6 mg/mL.

Now find the volume per hour: 41.28 mg/hour ÷ 1.6 mg/mL = 25.8 mL/hour.

Program the infusion pump to 25.8 mL/hour.