Pharmacology and Drug Calculations Flashcards
6 cards from real SAUDI PROMETRIC NURSING practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Pharmacology and Drug Calculations flashcards as text
A patient is prescribed IV heparin infusion for DVT. The initial order is 80 units/kg bolus followed by 18 units/kg/hr infusion. The patient weighs 75 kg. What is the bolus dose and initial infusion rate?
Answer: Bolus: 6,000 units; infusion: 1,350 units/hr
Bolus: 80 units/kg × 75 kg = 6,000 units. Infusion rate: 18 units/kg/hr × 75 kg = 1,350 units/hr. Both calculations use the same weight-based formula. aPTT monitoring guides subsequent dose adjustments per protocol.
A patient receives an accidental overdose of heparin. Which reversal agent should be administered?
Answer: Protamine sulfate 1 mg per 100 units of heparin given
Protamine sulfate is the specific antidote for heparin overdose. It binds to heparin, forming a stable complex that neutralizes anticoagulant activity. The dose is 1 mg protamine per 100 units of heparin administered in the past 2–4 hours.
A child weighing 15 kg requires IV fluid resuscitation. The Holliday-Segar formula for maintenance fluids for this child gives:
Answer: 1,250 mL/day
Holliday-Segar: 100 mL/kg for first 10 kg + 50 mL/kg for 10–20 kg + 20 mL/kg above 20 kg. For 15 kg: (10 × 100) + (5 × 50) = 1,000 + 250 = 1,250 mL/day.
A patient is receiving IV insulin infusion for DKA. The blood glucose is now 250 mg/dL and the protocol states: 'When glucose reaches 250 mg/dL, add dextrose to IV fluids.' Why is dextrose added at this point?
Answer: To prevent hypoglycemia while continuing insulin to close the anion gap
In DKA management, insulin must continue until the anion gap closes and acidosis resolves (not just until glucose normalizes). Dextrose is added to prevent hypoglycemia while continuing insulin to complete acidosis correction — the glucose normalizes before the ketosis resolves.
A nurse is calculating the daily fluid requirement for a 70 kg adult using the 30 mL/kg/day formula. What is the result?
Answer: 2,100 mL/day
Daily fluid requirement = 30 mL/kg/day × 70 kg = 2,100 mL/day. This formula is commonly used for maintenance fluid calculations in adults. Other common formulas include Holliday-Segar and the 1 mL/kcal method.
The nurse is preparing to administer IV amiodarone 150 mg over 10 minutes for acute ventricular tachycardia. Available: 450 mg in 9 mL (50 mg/mL). How many mL are needed for 150 mg?
Answer: 3 mL
Volume = dose / concentration = 150 mg / 50 mg/mL = 3 mL. The drug is then diluted in D5W (amiodarone requires D5W, not saline) and administered via a filtered infusion set over 10 minutes.
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