Question

The patient weighs 175 lbs. and is having chest pain. The patient has an order that reads for CP give Nitrostat gr 1/150 SL to be followed by Trindal (nitroglycerin) drip to relieve CP. The pharmacy sends you a glass bottle labeled 50 mg of Nitro in 250 mL for the drip. You have been titrating this drip up by 5 mcg every 3-5 minutes and finally the patient states his pain is relieved. You note that the pump states he is receiving 12 mL/hr of the Nitro drip. How many mcg/min is the patient receiving to achieve pain relief?

Answer 1

The available dosage in the bottle is 50 mg of nitroglycerine in 250 ml

In 1 ml of solution the available dose is = 50 $\div$ 250 = 0.2 mg

The pump is set to 12 ml/hour = 12 $\times$ 0.2 = 2.4 mg/ hour

2.4 mg = 2400 mcg (to convert mg to mcg multiply mg with 1000)

In 1 minute the patient receiving = 2400 mcg $\div$ 60 min = 40 mcg

The patient is receiving 40 mcg/ min of nitroglycerine.