A nurse is preparing to administer nitroprusside 4 mcg/kg/min IV to a client who weighs 143 lb. Available is nitroprusside 50 mg in dextrose 5% in water 250 mL. The nurse should set the IV pump to deliver how many mL/hr? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

Calculation: Convert the client's weight from pounds (lbs) to kilograms (kg): Formula: Weight in kg = Weight in lbs / 2.2 lbs/kg = 143 lbs / 2.2 lbs/kg ≈ 65 kg Calculate the desired dose of nitroprusside per minute in micrograms: Ordered dose: 4 mcg/kg/min Client's weight in kg: 65 kg Formula: Dosage (mcg/min) = Ordered dose (mcg/kg/min) × Client's weight (kg) = 4 mcg/kg/min × 65 kg = 260 mcg/min Calculate the desired dose of nitroprusside per hour in micrograms: Conversion factor: 1 hour = 60 minutes Formula: Dosage (mcg/hr) = Dosage (mcg/min) × 60 min/hr = 260 mcg/min × 60 min/hr = 15600 mcg/hr Determine the concentration of the nitroprusside solution in micrograms per milliliter: Available nitroprusside: 50 mg Convert milligrams to micrograms: 50 mg × 1000 mcg/mg = 50000 mcg Total volume of solution: 250 mL Formula: Concentration (mcg/mL) = Total micrograms / Total mL = 50000 mcg / 250 mL = 200 mcg/mL Calculate the IV pump flow rate in mL/hr: Formula: Flow rate (mL/hr) = Desired dose per hour (mcg/hr) / Concentration (mcg/mL) = 15600 mcg/hr / 200 mcg/mL = 78 mL/hr