Doses
Infusion doses can be calculated in different ways:
- mcg/kg/min
- mcg/min
- d.p.m.
- ml/hr
It is important to read the instructions carefully as very powerful drugs are commonly used. If a range is suggested start with the lower dose.
mcg/kg/min is often prepared with 3 times the patient's body weight in mg in 50 ml of diluent in a syringe pump which then equates to 1 mcg/kg/min = 1 ml/hr.
Question: Dopamine 3 mcg/kg/min is requested in a 60 kg person How would you prepare the infusion?
Infusion doses can be calculated in different ways:
- mcg/kg/min
- mcg/min
- d.p.m.
- ml/hr
It is important to read the instructions carefully as very powerful drugs are commonly used. If a range is suggested start with the lower dose.
mcg/kg/min is often prepared with 3 times the patient's body weight in mg in 50 ml of diluent in a syringe pump which then equates to 1 mcg/kg/min = 1 ml/hr.
Question: Dopamine 3 mcg/kg/min is requested in a 60 kg person How would you prepare the infusion?
Answer: Add (3 x 60) 180 mg dopamine to 50 ml of diluent and run at 3 ml/hr.
