The nurse is preparing to deliver 2.5 mcg/kg/min of nitroprusside. The client weights 154 pounds. Availa ble is 50 mg of nitroprusside in 250 ml DSW. How many mL/hr will the nurse program the pump to deliver? (Round the answer to the nearest tenth. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

Calculation: Convert the client's weight from pounds (lb) to kilograms (kg). Client weight (kg) = 154 lb / 2.2 lb/kg = 70 kg. Calculate the total dose per minute. Total dose (mcg/min) = Client weight (kg) x Ordered dose (mcg/kg/min) = 70 kg x 2.5 mcg/kg/min = 175 mcg/min. Calculate the concentration of the medication in the IV solution. Convert milligrams (mg) to micrograms (mcg): 50 mg = 50,000 mcg. Concentration (mcg/mL) = Total drug (mcg) / Total volume (mL) = 50,000 mcg / 250 mL = 200 mcg/mL. Calculate the infusion rate in mL per hour. Infusion rate (mL/hr) = (Total dose per minute (mcg/min) / Concentration (mcg/mL)) x 60 min/hr = (175 mcg/min / 200 mcg/mL) x 60 min/hr = 0.875 mL/min x 60 min/hr = 52.5 mL/hr.