Dosage Calculation of Critical Care Medications: mcg/kg/min Dimensional Analysis Method

mcg/kg/min to mL/h Scenario: Dopamine 1 g has been added to 500 mL of D5W. The order states to begin the dopamine at 5 mcg/kg/min. The patient’s weight is 160 lbs. The nurse needs to calculate the rate, in milliliters per hour (mL/h), at which to set the IV pump. Question: How does the nurse convert the ordered dose of 5 mcg/kg/min to mL/h?

mcg/kg/min to mL/h x mL = h

mcg/kg/min to mL/h x mL = 500 mL h 1 g

mcg/kg/min to mL/h x mL = 500 mL x 1 g h 1 g 1,000,000 mcg

mcg/kg/min to mL/h x mL = 500 mL x 1 g x 5 mcg h 1 g 1,000,000 mcg kg/min

mcg/kg/min to mL/h x mL = 500 mL x 1 g x 5 mcg x 1 kg h 1 g 1,000,000 mcg kg/min 2.2 lb

mcg/kg/min to mL/h x mL = 500 mL x 1 g x 5 mcg x 1 kg x 160 lb h 1 g 1,000,000 mcg kg/min 2.2 lb 1

mcg/kg/min to mL/h x mL = 500 mL x 1 g x 5 mcg x 1 kg x 160 lb x 60 min h 1 g 1,000,000 mcg kg/min 2.2 lb 1 1 h

mcg/kg/min to mL/h x mL = 500 mL x 1 g x 5 mcg x 1 kg x 160 lb x 60 min h 1 g 1,000,000 mcg kg/min 2.2 lb 1 1 h

mcg/kg/min to mL/h x mL = 500 mL x 1 x 5 x 1 x 160 x 60 h 1 1,000,000 2.2 1 1 h

mcg/kg/min to mL/h x mL = 500 mL x 1 x 5 x 1 x 160 x 60 = 24,000,000 h 1 1,000,000 2.2 1 1 h 2,200,000 = 10.9, rounded to 11 mL/h

mcg/kg/min to mL/h So, 11 mL/h will deliver Dopamine at 5 mcg/kg/min to a 160 lb person with a concentration of 1 g in 500 mL.

mcg/kg/min Feel free to contact your instructor for any questions or concern you may have.