Worked example

Weight-based IV infusion — practice problem 8

A patient weighing 60 kg has dopamine 400 mg in 250 mL. The prescriber orders 3 mcg/kg/min.

Weight60 kg

Ordered rate3 mcg/kg/min

Bag400 mg in 250 mL

What pump rate (mL/hr) delivers this order?

Answer: 6.8 mL/hr

Step-by-step solution

1. Find the bag concentration in mcg/mL

400 mg × ( 1000 mcg ÷ 1 mg ) ÷ 250 mL

= 1600 mcg/mL

2. Dose per minute: multiply the rate by the patient's weight

3 mcg/kg/min × 60 kg

= 180 mcg/min

3. Convert to mcg per hour

180 mcg/min × ( 60 min ÷ 1 hr )

= 10800 mcg/hr

4. Divide by concentration so mcg cancels, leaving mL/hr

10800 mcg/hr × ( 1 mL ÷ 1600 mcg )

= 6.8 mL/hr