Medication Dosage Calculation
For a 75kg patient receiving medication at a rate of 75mg/kg in 30ml over 3 hours, the hourly dose is 625mg per hour.
Calculation Process
To determine the correct hourly dose, we need to follow a systematic approach:
Calculate the total medication dose:
- Patient weight: 75kg
- Medication dose: 75mg/kg
- Total dose = 75kg × 75mg/kg = 5,625mg
Determine the hourly rate:
- Total infusion time: 3 hours
- Total dose: 5,625mg
- Hourly rate = 5,625mg ÷ 3 hours = 1,875mg per hour
Calculate the infusion rate:
- Total volume: 30ml
- Total time: 3 hours
- Infusion rate = 30ml ÷ 3 hours = 10ml per hour
Therefore, the patient should receive 1,875mg (in 10ml) per hour over 3 hours.
Important Considerations
Verify the dose: Always double-check medication calculations, especially for high-risk medications, to prevent medication errors.
Monitor for adverse effects: Depending on the medication being administered, monitor for potential side effects such as:
- Hypotension
- Bradycardia
- Infusion site reactions
- Medication-specific adverse effects
Use infusion pumps: For precise administration of IV medications, especially those requiring specific rates, use an infusion pump to ensure accurate delivery.
Document administration: Record the time of administration, dose, route, and patient response as per standard medication administration protocols.
This calculation ensures the patient receives the correct dose at the appropriate rate, which is essential for medication efficacy and patient safety.