PRACTICE: The order is to give heparin 11,000 units SC q 8h.
Available is a vial containing 20,000 units per ml. How
SOLUTION:
20,000 units = 11,000 units
1 ml
X ml
20,000X = 11,000
X = 0.55 ml
d. Insulin Calculations.
(1) Insulin is supplied in 10 ml vials labeled in the number of units per ml.
U-100 insulin is the most commonly used concentration.
Figure 2-3. U-100 insulin.
(2) The simplest and most accurate way to measure insulin is with an insulin
syringe. An insulin syringe is calibrated in units and the ordered dose is read directly on
the syringe. Therefore, to measure 16 units of U-100 insulin, you would simply measure
to the 16 unit mark on the U-100 insulin syringe.
Figure 2-4. Measuring insulin in an insulin syringe.
MD0904
2-35