Dosage Calculation for Heparin Sodium Administration

Understanding Heparin Sodium Dosage Calculation

When administering medications like heparin sodium, calculating the correct dosage is crucial to ensure patient safety and efficacy of treatment. In this case, the physician has ordered 3000 units of heparin sodium, and the medication is available as 5000 units/mL. To determine the appropriate amount of heparin to administer and the syringe to use, a dosage calculation formula is employed.

The formula for dosage calculation is as follows:

Dosage = (Ordered dose / Available dose) * Volume

Given the ordered dose of 3000 units and the available dose of 5000 units/mL, we need to find the volume (amount in mL) of heparin to be administered. By rearranging the formula and solving for the volume, we get:

Volume = (3000 units / 5000 units/mL) * Volume

Volume = 0.6 mL

Since the dosage calculation yields 0.6 mL, we need to select the closest syringe option. In this case, a 1-mL syringe is the most suitable choice for administering 0.6 mL of heparin. However, as 0.6 mL is more than half of a 1-mL syringe, the correct dosage to administer with a 1-mL syringe would be:

0.3 mL

Therefore, the correct dosage and syringe to use for administering heparin sodium as ordered by the physician is 0.3 mL with a 1-mL syringe. Ensuring accurate dosage calculations and proper administration techniques are essential in healthcare settings to promote patient well-being and treatment outcomes.