Case Study: Critical Care Calculation

A client is admitted with septic shock. Despite fluid resuscitation, the client's BP remains 86/30 mm Hg with a HR 120 bpm and UOP of 20 mL/hr. The patient's weight is 86 kg. The following questions pertain to this situation.

1.Dopamine is ordered to start at a dose of 6 mcg/kg/min; titrate for a MAP of 70. Call if dopamine is titrated higher than 15 mcg/kg/min. Pharmacy delivers a dopamine bag with a concentration of 800 mg/250 mL. At how many milliliters per hour (mL/hr) would the IV infusion device be set?

Answer: ml/hr

Show your dosage calculation below:

2.Create a titration table for the dopamine. Indicate the flow rate for each of the dosage rates below:

Titration Table

Dosage Rate (mcg/kg/min)

Flow Rate (mL/hr)

6 mcg/kg/min

7 mcg/kg/min

8 mcg/kg/min

9 mcg/kg/min

10 mcg/kg/min

11 mcg/kg/min

12 mcg/kg/min

13 mcg/kg/min

14 mcg/kg/min

15 mcg/kg/min

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3.The client's blood pressure does not respond to the dopamine. An order for Levophed, start at 4 mcg/min, titrate for MAP greater than 70 mm Hg is received. Pharmacy sends an IV bag with a concentration of Levophed 2 mg/250 mL NS. Calculate the milliliters per hour required.