(3) All heparin calculations should be carried out to the thousandth decimal
place and rounded to the hundredth place.
(4) Subcutaneous injections of heparin should be administered using a
tuberculin syringe.
Figure 2-2. Tuberculin (T.B.) syringe.
EXAMPLE: The physician has ordered heparin 5,000 units SC q 8h. Using
a vial labeled 40,000 units per ml, calculate the amount of
heparin to give.
(a)
40,000 units = 5,000 units
1 ml
X ml
(b) Cross-multiply.
40,000X = 5,000
X = 0.125 ml
Give 0.13 ml
PRACTICE: The order is for 15,000 units of heparin SC q 12h. You
have a vial labeled 20,000 units per ml. How much
SOLUTION:
20,000 units = 15,000 units
1 ml
X ml
20,000X = 15,000
X = 0.75 ml
MD0904
2-34