A patient who had a NSTEMI is receiving heparin per continuous IV infusion at 15 units/kg/hr. Heparin is supplied as 25,000 units in 500ml of D5W. The PTT result came back, and the instructions are to increase the infusion rate by 2 units/kg/hr. The patient weighs 175 pounds. What will be the new infusion rate on the IV pump? (Round your answer to the nearest tenth).

To solve this problem, we need to follow these steps:

### Step 1: Convert the patient's weight from pounds to kilograms.
\[
\text{Weight in kg} = \frac{\text{Weight in pounds}}{2.2}
\]
\[
\text{Weight in kg} = \frac{175}{2.2} \approx 79.5 \text{ kg}
\]

### Step 2: Calculate the current heparin infusion rate.
The current infusion rate is given as 15 units/kg/hr:
\[
\text{Current infusion rate} = 15 \times 79.5 \approx 1192.5 \text{ units/hr}
\]

### Step 3: Calculate the new infusion rate by increasing by 2 units/kg/hr.
\[
\text{New infusion rate} = (15 + 2) \times 79.5 = 17 \times 79.5 \approx 1351.5 \text{ units/hr}
\]

### Step 4: Convert the units/hr to mL/hr using the supplied concentration.
The concentration of heparin is 25,000 units in 500 mL, so the concentration is:
\[
\text{Concentration} = \frac{25,000 \text{ units}}{500 \text{ mL}} = 50 \text{ units/mL}
\]
Thus, the new infusion rate in mL/hr is:
\[
\text{New infusion rate (mL/hr)} = \frac{1351.5 \text{ units/hr}}{50 \text{ units/mL}} \approx 27.0 \text{ mL/hr}
\]

### Final Answer:
The new infusion rate on the IV pump should be **27.0 mL/hr**.

Would you like further details or have any questions about this solution?

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Here are 5 related questions that expand on this topic:

1. How do changes in PTT levels affect heparin dosage adjustments?
2. What are the implications of administering heparin at an incorrect infusion rate?
3. How would the infusion rate change if the concentration of heparin was different?
4. What monitoring protocols are typically used when a patient is on a heparin drip?
5. How would you calculate the bolus dose of heparin if required?

**Tip:** Always double-check weight conversions in medication dosage calculations to ensure accuracy.

Learn how to calculate the new infusion rate for a heparin drip in a NSTEMI patient. This example covers unit conversion, rate calculations, and infusion adjustments, providing a step-by-step solution. Ideal for healthcare professionals and students.

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