Acute Care Nurses' Guide - University of Kentucky

Acute Care Nurses’ Guide:
Drugs Requiring an Infusion Pump to Administer
University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center
Updated:
05/04/07
Generic Name Unit Brand Name
Average Dose and/or Administration Considerations
Specific
Infusion Time
Albumin 5% or 25% - Albuminar 2-4ml/min over 4-6 hours Special tubing
Amphotericin B - Fungizone Continuous infusion (maximum over
4-6 hours)
Protect from light;
Prehydration, pre-med, post-hydration
Anti-thymocyte globulin 8E Thymoglobulin Over 4-6 hours Infuse through central line only, wear gloves,
frequent vital signs (every 15 x4, every 30 x 2,
every 1 x 2) with the 1 st doses, premedicate
(acetaminophen, diphenhydramine, &/or
hydrocortisone)
Bumetanide - Bumex Over 30 minutes – no greater than -
1mg/min
Calcium Gluconate - Calcium Gluconate 1 gram over 1 hour Monitor for extravasation
Cyclosporine Neoral, Sandimmune Over 4-6 hours Monitor for allergic reactions. IV dose is 1/3 of
oral dose
Digoxin - Lanoxin Over 30 minutes Vital signs at 15 minutes & 30 minutes after
infusion
Enalaprilat - Vasotec Over 30 minutes Mix in 50ml of NS; Vital signs at 15 minutes &
30 minutes after infusion
Must obtain nursing care manager preapproval
Fosphenytoin - Cerebyx No greater than 150mg phenytoin Monitor for hypotension and bradycardia
equivalents (PE)/min
Ganciclovir 8E Cytovene Over 1 hour Protect from light; Antiviral treated as Chemo
agent r/t toxic effects. Do Not Refrigerate. Use
0.22 micron filter. Wear chemo gloves when
handling IV bag. Dispose in Red Bag waste.
Gentamicin - Gentamicin Over 30 minutes – 1 hour -
Hydralazine - Apresoline Over 30 minutes Mix in 50ml of NS; Vital signs at 15 minutes &
30 minutes after infusion
Must obtain nursing care manager preapproval
IVIG, intravenous immune
globulin
- IVIG Incremental increases in rate based
on tolerance, blood pressure
Start infusion slowly and then increase rate
hourly. Premed, frequent vital signs

Acute Care Nurses’ Guide:
Drugs Requiring an Infusion Pump to Administer
University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center
Updated:
05/04/07
Generic Name Unit Brand Name
Average Dose and/or Administration Considerations
Specific
Infusion Time
Labetalol - Normodyne, Trandate Over 30 minutes Mix in 50ml of NS; Vital signs at 15 minutes &
30 minutes after infusion
Must obtain nursing care manager preapproval
Magnesium sulfate - Magnesium sulfate 1 gram over 1 hour Monitor for hypotension
Mannitol 8E Mannitol 0.25-1 gm/kg over 30-60 min Monitor infusion for crystallization, electrolytes,
urine output
Metoprolol - Lopressor Over 30 minutes Mix in 50ml of NS; Vital signs at 15 minutes &
30 minutes after infusion
Must obtain nursing care manager preapproval
Mycophenolate 8E Cellcept Over 2 hours Bag expires 4 hours after mixing
Phenytoin - Dilantin 20 mg/min – no greater than
50mg/min
Potassium Chloride - Potassium Chloride 10 mEq over 1 hour -
Potassium Phosphate - K-Phos 9 mmol over 4-6 hours -
Tobramycin - Tobramycin Infuse over 30 minutes – 1 hour -
Valproic Acid - Valproic Acid No greater than 6 mg/kg/min -
Vancomycin - Vancocin Over 1 hour -
Monitor for hypotension and bradycardia, central
line if available
Bag expires 4 hours after mixing
Updated: 05/04/07
Revised by: Christy Taylor, PharmD and Lori Proeschel, PharmD
Contact person for revisions: Kimberley Hite (khite2@uky.edu)