Everyday EMS Tips reader Scott Walker, A.S, NREMT-P submitted this tip for calculating the amount of Dopamine to administer. He writes:
This is one of those tools you can use at 2am. This formula only works for 5mcg/kg/min and cannot be adjusted.
1. Take the patients weight in pounds and divide by 10.
2. Then subtract 2 from that.
3. Use that number with a 60gtt/ml administration set and that will give you 5mcg/kg/min for that patient.
Here is an example:
1. Patient weighs 170 pounds.
2. Divide patient weight by 10.
170/10=17.
2. Subtract 2 from 17
17-2=15.
3. Set the drip rate at 15 gtts/min to administer 5mcg/kg/min for a 170 pound patient.
Thanks Scott for the submission. Readers send your tips to greg dot friese at everydayemstips dot com.
Want to learn more about medical math? Check out the EMS Boot Camp Medical Math session – live today (November 23) or view the archived broadcast. EMS Boot Camp is live online education for EMTs, Paramedics, and Students. Content is presented by expert educators in a format that is understandable and interactive. Live session attendees get plenty of time to have their questions answered.
