NUR 1020 Fall 2013 HS

METHOD FOR IV HEPARIN CALCULATION

The following method of calculation is to be used when calculating Heparin doses:

Total Units of Heparin = Units/hour

Total Amount of infusion (mLs) mLs/hour

e.g. Order: Heparin 1400 units q hour IV

Standard Solution 25,000 units of Heparin in 250 mL D5W
How many mLs/hr will you administer

EXAMPLE:

IV Heparin Calculation:

25,000 total units of Heparin = 1400 units/hr

250 total amount of infusion (mLs) X mLs/hr

25000 = 1400
250 X

100 = 1400
1 X
Cross multiply

100 x = 1400

X = 14 mL/hr

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NUR 1020 Fall 2013 HS

IV ADMINISTRATION - HEPARIN INFUSION PROBLEMS

Refer to Clinical Calculations book section in IV Infusion. All these calculations are based upon
using an Infusion Pump.

1. Order:Heparin 40,000 Units in 1000 mLs D5W. Infuse 800 Units/hour. How many
mLs/hr would you administer?

2. Order:Heparin 20,000 Units in 500 mLs of D5W. Infuse at 30 mLs/hr. How many hours
will the IV run?

3. Order:Heparin 20,000 Units in 500 mLs D5W. Infuse at 1000 Units/hr.

How many mLs/hr will you infuse?

4. Order:Heparin 10,000 Units in 500 mLs of NS, run at 10 mLs/hr.

How many units/hr will you infuse?

5. Order:Heparin 1400 Units/hr. Available you have Heparin 25,000 Units in 500 mLs
D5W. How many mLs/hr would you administer?

6. Order:Heparin 10,000 Units in 500 mLs D5W. Run at 30 mLs/hr. How many Units/hr
would you administer?

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NUR 1020 Fall 2013 HS

7. Order:Heparin 10,000 Units in 1000 mLs D5 NS. Infuse at 90 mLs/hr. How many
Units/hr would you administer?

8. Order:Heparin 25,000 Units in 500 mLs D5W. Infuse at 25 mLs/hr. How many Units/hr
would you administer?

In the following 3 heparin calculation questions, select the best answer.

1. A patient is ordered to receive 1250 U of heparin IV continuously per hour. Hanging is

an IV OF 500 mLs D5/W with 25,000 U of heparin. How many mL's per hour will
deliver the ordered dose of heparin?
a. 12 mL
b. 20 mL
c. 25 mL
d. 50 mL

2. A patient with a diagnosis of a pulmonary embolism is ordered to receive 900 U of

heparin IV per hour. Hanging is an IV of 500 cc D5/W containing 20,000 U of heparin.
How many mL's per hour should the I.V. pump be set in order to deliver the ordered
dose?
a. 9 mL
b. 20 mL
c. 23 mL
d. 30 mL

3. A patient is receiving 28 mL of a heparin solution IV per hour. Hanging is an IV of 500

mL D5/W containing 25,000 U of heparin. How many U of heparin is the patient
receiving per hour.
a. 1000 U
b. 1200 U
c. 1400 U
d. 2500 U