Question

scenario
suppose mrs. turners orders call for 500 mg of azithromycin to be administered intravenously for community - acquired pneumonia. the solution has been diluted to a concentration of 2 mg/ml and needs to be administered over 1 hour.
question
at what rate should the infusion pump be set?

Explanation:

Step1: Find volume from mass and concentration

We know that concentration \( C=\frac{\text{mass}(m)}{\text{volume}(V)} \), so \( V = \frac{m}{C} \). Given \( m = 500\space mg \) and \( C=2\space mg/mL \), then \( V=\frac{500}{2}=250\space mL \).

Step2: Find infusion rate (mL per hour)

The time for administration is \( t = 1\space hour \). The infusion rate \( R=\frac{V}{t} \). Substituting \( V = 250\space mL \) and \( t = 1\space hour \), we get \( R=\frac{250}{1}=250\space mL/hour \).

Answer:

The infusion pump should be set at a rate of 250 mL per hour.