Heparin Administration

Question 1

What is a heparin vial used for?

Answer 1

Bolus administration

Question 2

What is a heparin IV bag mixed w/ NS used for?

Answer 2

Continuous infusion

Question 3

Which is a more concentrated form of heparin: bolus or IV bag?

Answer 3

Bolus; IV bag is more dilute

Question 4

Steps for Heparin Bolus Admin

Answer 4

1) Convert the patient’s weight from lbs to kg

2) Determine how many mLs of heparin to draw up
-Use bolus concentration to calculate all bolus doses

3) Calculate how many units per hour of heparin the patient should receive
-Multiply weight (kg) by MAR order

4) Convert units/hour to mL/hour so that you can program your pump
-ALWAYS round the nearest whole unit
-When calculating mL and mL/hr, always use KSU rounding rules

Question 5

Steps for Giving Additional Bolus

Answer 5

1) Convert the patient’s weight from lbs to kg

2) Per the protocol, re-bolus your patient with 40
units/kg of heparin
-Use bolus concentration X kg

3) Calculate how many mLs of heparin to draw up

4) Use the protocol to add it to the current rate set on the pump
-You now need to calculate how many units per hour to give your patient and convert this new rate to mL/hr so you can set your pump
-ALWAYS add before converting!!!

5) Multiply new rate by patient’s weight

6) Calculate how many mL/hr to set your pump at for your new rate