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

2. 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?

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

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

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. 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, h 2,200,000 = 10.9, rounded to 11 mL/h

13. 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.

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