How many ml/hour should the nurse set the infusion pump for a client receiving oxytocin (Pitocin) 0.5 milliunits/minute with a 1,000 ml solution containing 10 units?

To determine the correct infusion rate in ml/hour, it's essential first to understand the concentration of the oxytocin solution and the prescribed dosage. The solution contains 10 units of oxytocin in a total volume of 1,000 ml.

1. Calculate the concentration of oxytocin in the solution: The concentration is given as 10 units in 1,000 ml, which translates to 0.01 units/ml (10 units / 1,000 ml).

2. Convert the prescribed dose from milliunits to units: The order is for 0.5 milliunits/minute. Knowing that 1 unit equals 1,000 milliunits, you can convert this dosage as follows:

• 0.5 milliunits = 0.0005 units (by dividing by 1,000).

3. Determine the infusion rate in ml/minute: Using the concentration, you can find out how many ml are needed to deliver 0.0005 units.

• To find out how many ml deliver the desired dose, use the formula:

• Desired dose (in units) / Concentration (in units/ml) = Volume (ml).

• Thus,