A nurse initiates an insulin infusion on a patient with a diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis. The IV solution contains 100 Units of insulin in 250 ml of normal saline. The physician orders the infusion to be initiated at 5 Units/hour. What infusion rate should the nurse program into the infusion pump?
Explanation
•The solution is (desired dose x volume on hand) divided by concentration
•The desired dose is 5 units/hr insulin, the volume on hand is 250ml saline, and the concentration is 100 units of insulin
5 units/hr x 250 ml = 1250
1250/100 = 12.5ml/hr