Dopamine hydrochloride IV at 2 mcg/kg/minute is prescribed to promote renal perfusion for a client weighing 198 lbs. The pharmacy sends a pre-mixed bag of dopamine containing 400 mg in 250 mL dextrose 5% in water (DSW). An IV pump is available that provides a precision infusion rate to a tenth of a mL. The nurse should set the IV pump to deliver how many mL/hour? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.)

Converting the weight to kg: Client weight = 198 lbs 1 lb = 0.453592 kg Client weight in kg = 198 lbs 0.453592 kg/lb = 90.7 kg Calculating the desired dopamine infusion rate: Dose = 2 mcg/kg/minute Client weight = 90.7 kg Desired infusion rate = Dose Client weight = 2 mcg/kg/minute 90.7 kg = 181.4 mcg/minute Determining the dopamine concentration in the bag: Dopamine amount = 400 mg Bag volume = 250 mL Dopamine concentration = Dopamine amount / Bag volume = 400 mg / 250 mL = 1.6 mg/mL Convert mg/mL to mcg/mL: 1.6 mg/mL 1000 mcg/mg = 1600 mcg/mL Calculating the rate in mL/minute: Desired infusion rate = 181.4 mcg/minute Dopamine concentration = 1600 mcg/mL Rate (mL/minute) = Desired infusion rate (mcg/minute) / Dopamine concentration (mcg/mL) Rate = 181.4 mcg/minute / 1600 mcg/mL = 0.1134 mL/minute Converting the rate to mL/hour: Rate (mL/minute) = 0.1134 mL/minute Conversion factor: 60 minutes/hour Rate (mL/hour) = 0.1134 mL/minute 60 minutes/hour = 6.8 mL/hour (round to nearest tenth) Therefore, the nurse should set the IV pump to deliver approximately 6.8 mL/hour.