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Heparin Drip Calculation Techniques

Feb 11, 2025

Heparin Drip Calculations Lecture Notes

Introduction

  • Presented by Sarah from RegisteredNurseRN.com.
  • Focus on how to calculate heparin drip rates.
  • A free quiz is available after the video for practice.

Problem 1: Calculate Flow Rate

  • Order: IV heparin drip at 12 units/kg/hr and a loading bolus of 60 units/kg IV.
  • Supply: Heparin bag with 25,000 units in 250 mL.
  • Patient Weight: 189 pounds.
  • Goal: Find the flow rate in mL/hr.

Steps:

  1. Convert Weight:
    • 189 pounds to kilograms:
      • Formula: pounds / 2.2 = kg.
  2. Set Up Dimensional Analysis:
    • Use given units to calculate mL/hr.
    • Set up conversion factors:
      • 12 units/kg/hr.
      • 25,000 units/250 mL.
  3. Multiply and Divide:
    • Top: 189 * 1 * 12 * 250 = 567,000.
    • Bottom: 2.2 * 1 * 1 * 25,000 = 55,000.
    • Result: 567,000 / 55,000 = 10.3 mL/hr (rounded to nearest tenth).

Problem 2: Calculate Units per Hour

  • Current Rate: Heparin drip at 24 mL/hr.
  • Supply: Heparin bag with 12,500 units in 250 mL.
  • Goal: Determine the number of units per hour.

Steps:

  1. Set Up Dimensional Analysis:
    • Rate of pump: 24 mL/hr.
    • Heparin units in bag: 12,500 units/250 mL.
  2. Multiply and Divide:
    • Top: 24 * 12,500 = 300,000.
    • Bottom: 1 * 250 = 250.
    • Result: 300,000 / 250 = 1,200 units/hr.

Problem 3: Adjusting Flow Rate

  • Current Situation:
    • Patient's PTT is 42, requires increase by 2 units/kg/hr and a 30 units/kg IV bolus.
    • Current drip at 16 units/kg/hr, and patient weighs 163 pounds.
  • New Requirements:
    • Increase to 18 units/kg/hr.
    • Calculate units for bolus and new flow rate in mL/hr.

Steps:

  1. Calculate Bolus:
    • Convert weight: 163 pounds to kg (163 / 2.2 = 74.1 kg).
    • Bolus: 74.1 kg * 30 units = 2,223 units.
  2. Calculate New Flow Rate:
    • New rate: 18 units/kg/hr.
    • Supply: 25,000 units/250 mL.
    • Dimensional Analysis:
      • Top: 163 * 1 * 18 * 250 = 733,500.
      • Bottom: 1 * 2.2 * 1 * 25,000 = 55,000.
    • Result: 733,500 / 55,000 = 13.3 mL/hr.

Conclusion

  • Finished review of heparin drip calculations.
  • Encouraged to take the free quiz and subscribe for more educational content.

Full transcript