The nurse has an order to administer a heparin drip at 12 units/kg/hr. The client weighs 178 pounds. The heparin is available as 25,000 units in 500 mL D5W. At which rate should the nurse program the pump?

The nurse should set the IV pump to 19mL/hr.

Convert the client’s weight to kilograms: 178 lbs/2.2 kg = 80.90 = 81 kg . Calculate the infusion rate: 12 units/kg/hr (81 kg) = 972 units/hr . Set up a proportion to solve for milliliters per hour: 500 mL/25,000 units = x mL/972 units . Calculate and solve for x : 500(972) = 25,000x . 486,000 = 25,000x . Round down to find the rate: x = 19.44 mL = 19 mL/hr .