A client who weighs 91 kg receives a prescription for a continuous infusion of dopamine at 3 mcg/kg/min. The solution is labeled, "Dopamine 400 mg in 5% Dextrose Injection 250 mL. How many mL/hr should the nurse program the infusion pump to deliver? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth).

Calculate the prescribed dose in mcg/minute: Dose (mcg/minute) = Prescribed dose (mcg/kg/min) x Client's weight (kg) = 3 mcg/kg/min x 91 kg = 273 mcg/minute Calculate the total amount of dopamine prescribed per hour: Dose per hour (mcg/hour) = Dose (mcg/minute) x 60 minutes/hour = 273 mcg/minute x 60 minutes/hour = 16380 mcg/hour Convert the total amount of dopamine in the IV solution to micrograms: Total dopamine (mcg) = Total dopamine (mg) x 1000 mcg/mg = 400 mg x 1000 mcg/mg = 400000 mcg Determine the concentration of the dopamine solution in mcg/mL: Concentration (mcg/mL) = Total dopamine (mcg) / Total volume (mL) = 400000 mcg / 250 mL = 1600 mcg/mL Calculate the infusion rate in mL/hour: Infusion rate (mL/hour) = Desired dose per hour (mcg/hour) / Concentration (mcg/mL) = 16380 mcg/hour / 1600 mcg/mL ≈ 10.2375 mL/hour Round to the nearest tenth: Rounded infusion rate = 10.2 mL/hour