Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 6 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.
Which breastfeeding mother should be advised not to breastfeed?
A woman with an epidural in labour now has a temperature of 38.0 °C (100.4 °F). Which statement is most accurate?
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?
An infusion contains 40000 units of a drug in 500 mL. The prescription is 1000 units per hour. At what rate R do you set the pump, in mL/h?
Infuse 1500 mL over 5 hours with a giving set of 20 gtt/mL. Find the drip rate R in drops per minute.
1000 mL was ordered over 6 hours. After 3 hours you find that 530 mL is still in the bag, and the order must still finish on time. By what percentage Δ must the original pump rate be increased?
Answer: C · A mother receiving chemotherapy
Breastfeeding is contraindicated with most cytotoxic chemotherapy, untreated active tuberculosis, use of illicit drugs, and in an infant with galactosaemia. Mastitis and colds are not reasons to stop.
Answer: B · The epidural may cause it, but infection must be ruled out
Epidurals are associated with a rise in maternal temperature, but this cannot be assumed. Intra-amniotic infection must be considered, especially with prolonged rupture of membranes or fetal tachycardia.
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: R = 12.5 mL/h
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 = 100 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.
Answer: Δ = 6 %
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.
Many hospitals allow such an adjustment up to 25% without a new order; check local policy.
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