Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 6 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.
What is a "reactive" non-stress test?
A large for gestational age newborn of a mother with diabetes is also very red and has a high haematocrit. Which complication of this finding should the nurse watch for?
A prefilled syringe of epinephrine (adrenaline) is labelled 1:10 000 (0.1 mg/mL). The prescription is 1 mg IV in cardiac arrest. What volume V do you give?
A patient weighs 85.8 lb. The prescription is 10 mg/kg as a single dose, and the stock contains 200 mg in 5 mL. Using 1 kg = 2.2 lb, what volume V do you give? Round to one decimal place.
Infuse 250 mL over 8 hours with a giving set of 60 gtt/mL. Find the drip rate R in drops per minute. Round to the nearest whole number.
A bag contains 500 mg of a drug in 50 mL and runs at 20 mL/h. How many milligrams per hour D does the patient receive?
Answer: D · At least 2 fetal heart rate accelerations within 20 minutes
A reactive non-stress test shows at least two qualifying accelerations in 20 minutes and indicates fetal well-being. A non-reactive test needs further testing, such as a biophysical profile.
Answer: D · Jaundice
Polycythaemia is common in infants of diabetic mothers and SGA babies. Breakdown of the extra red cells raises bilirubin, and high viscosity can cause poor feeding, lethargy or thrombosis.
Answer: V = 10 mL
Solution strengths: a percentage strength is grams per 100 mL, so 1% = 1 g/100 mL = 10 mg/mL. A ratio strength 1:1000 means 1 g in 1000 mL = 1 mg/mL; 1:10 000 is 0.1 mg/mL. For a dilution the amount of drug stays the same: C₁·V₁ = C₂·V₂.
US labels now state mg/mL (1 mg/mL = 1:1000; 0.1 mg/mL = 1:10 000). Never give 1 mg/mL epinephrine IV push.
Answer: V = 9.8 mL
Dose calculation: the amount to give equals what is prescribed divided by what you have, times the quantity it comes in: amount = (desired dose/stock strength) × stock volume. Always keep the units the same (convert g to mg, mg to mcg first) and check that the answer is sensible.
Answer: R = 31 gtt/min
Infusion rates: a pump is set in mL/h = volume/time in hours. A gravity drip is counted in drops per minute: gtt/min = volume (mL) × drop factor (gtt/mL)/time (min). The drop factor is printed on the tubing package: macrodrip sets deliver 10, 15 or 20 gtt/mL (blood sets often 10 gtt/mL in the US, 15 in the UK) and microdrip sets 60 gtt/mL. Always use the drop factor the question or package gives.
At the bedside you round to the nearest whole drop: 31 gtt/min.
Answer: D = 200 mg/h
Infusion rates: a pump is set in mL/h = volume/time in hours. A gravity drip is counted in drops per minute: gtt/min = volume (mL) × drop factor (gtt/mL)/time (min). The drop factor is printed on the tubing package: macrodrip sets deliver 10, 15 or 20 gtt/mL (blood sets often 10 gtt/mL in the US, 15 in the UK) and microdrip sets 60 gtt/mL. Always use the drop factor the question or package gives.
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