Drug dosage calculation

Question

You have added 4 ml of albuterol solution (5mg/mL) and 12 ml of normal saline to your continuous nebulizer with an output of 8 ml/hr. What is the total dosage of the treatment you are giving? How long will this treatment last?

Answer 1

Total volume = 4 ml + 12 ml = 16 ml (assuming the volumes are additive).

Concentration of albuterol = 5 mg/ml x 4 ml = 20 mg/16 ml = 1.25 mg/ml

Total dosage = 8 ml/hr x 1.25 mg/ml = 10 mg/hr

Duration of treatment: (8 ml/hr)(x hrs) =16 ml and x = 2 hours

If you are asking for TOTAL dosage, then instead of 10 mg/hr, you would have 20 mg TOTAL in 2 hours.