Question

Mrs. Jay, a 73 year old female, has been admitted to the hospital for treatment of deep vein thrombosis in her right calf. Her PMH includes hypertension. She has been taking Capoten 12.5 mg BID with good control of her pressure.  She is ordered on bedrest with the following orders:

Heparin 5000units IV bolus, followed by a heparin drip of 25,000units in 250ml to infuse at 1000 units per hour. Follow heparin protocol that includes obtaining a stat aPTT 6 hours after initiation and 6 hours after any dose change.

How many mL per hour will you administer the heparin drip to deliver 1000 units per hour? and why?

Answer 1

Order dose - Heparin 5000units IV bolus, followed by a heparin drip of 25,000units in 250ml to infuse at 1000 units per hour.

So, we have to now administer 1000 units per hour.

250ml = 25,000 units x 1000 units = 10ml

Answer - 10 ml per hour nurse will administer the heparin drip to deliver 1000 units per hour.

You will administer heparin because the patient diagnosed with Deep vein thrombosis.

Heparin is a blood thinner (anticuagulant) and which prevent further complication which prevents the further complication with DVT. (Means it prevents from a new blood clot forming in existing clot)