1. Dosage Calculation of Critical Care Medications: mcg/kg/min
Dimensional Analysis Method

2. mL/h to mcg/kg/min
Scenario: A patient is receiving Dobutamine at 20 mL/h. The concentration of Dobutamine is 500 mg in 250 mL of D5W. The patient’s weight is 120 lb. The nurse needs to calculate the micrograms per kilogram per minute (mcg/kg/min) the patient is receiving. Question: How does the nurse convert the infusion rate of 20 mL/h to the dose the patient is receiving?

3. mL/h to mcg/kg/min
x mcg =
kg/min

4. mL/h to mcg/kg/min
x mcg = 1000 mcg
kg/min mg

5. mL/h to mcg/kg/min
x mcg = 1000 mcg x 500 mg
kg/min mg mL

6. mL/h to mcg/kg/min x mcg = 1000 mcg x 500 mg x 20 mL
kg/min mg mL h

7. mL/h to mcg/kg/min x mcg = 1000 mcg x 500 mg x 20 mL x 1 h
kg/min mg mL h min

8. mL/h to mcg/kg/min x mcg = 1000 mcg x 500 mg x 20 mL x 1 h x 2.2 lb
kg/min mg mL h min 1 kg

9. mL/h to mcg/kg/min
x mcg = 1000 mcg x 500 mg x 20 mL x 1 h x 2.2 lb x ____
kg/min mg mL h min 1 kg lb

10. mL/h to mcg/kg/min
x mcg = 1000 mcg x 500 mg x 20 mL x 1 h x 2.2 lb x ____
kg/min mg mL h min 1 kg lb

11. mL/h to mcg/kg/min x mcg = 1000 mcg x 500 x 20 x 1 x 2.2 x ____
kg/min min 1 kg

12. mL/h to mcg/kg/min x mcg = 1000 mcg x 500 x 20 x 1 x 2.2 x ____
kg/min min 1 kg
= 22,000,000 = = 12.2 mcg/kg/min
1,800,000

13. mL/h to mcg/kg/min
So, 20 mL/h will deliver Dobutamine at 12.2 mcg/kg/min to a 120 lb person with a concentration of 500 mg in 250 mL.

14. mcg/kg/min
Feel free to contact your instructor for any questions or concern you may have.