Convert mL/hr to dose/hr

Formula

Determine the dosage given.

R × A V
  • R = Rate
  • A = Dose available
  • V = Volume of dose available
It doesn't matter what type of units are used in this formula.  You can figure out how many grams or milligrams, micrograms, units, grains, etc., were given. Remember to be consistent (e.g., don't mix milligrams with grams).

Examples

1. You have received report on a patient with a heparin drip but the nurse forgot to say what dosage the drip was infusing at.  The heparin bag is labeled 25,000 units (u) in 250 milliters (mL) NS and the IV pump is infusing at 20 milliters/hour (mL/hr).  In this example,

  • Rate = 20 mL
  • Dose available = 25,000 u
  • Volume of dose available = 250 mL
20 mL × 25,000 u 250 mL

The dosage ordered, an infusion, = 2000 u/hr.

2. You were not told about an insulin drip in report. It's infusing at 10 mL/hr. A 100 mL bag of 0.9 N.S. contains 100 units of regular insulin. How many units is the patient recieving?

  • Rate = 10 mL
  • Dose available = 100 units
  • Volume of dose available = 100 mL
10 mL × 100 u 100 mL

The dosage ordered, an infusion, = 10 u/hr.