Dosage Titration Presentation
Dosage Titration Presentation
Dosage Titration Presentation
• Orders for titrated medications are often prescribed for critical-care patients. Such orders
require that therapeutic effects, such as pain reduction, blood pressure, sedation, be
monitored.
• The dose of the medication must be adjusted accordingly until the desired effect is achieved.
Titrated Medications (cont.)
• An order for a titrated medication generally includes a purpose for titrating
and a maximum dose. If either the initial dose or directions for subsequent
adjustments of the initial dose are not included in the order, the medication
cannot be given, and you must contact the prescriber.
Titrated Medications (cont.)
• Dosage errors with titrated medications can quickly result in catastrophic
consequences. Therefore, a thorough knowledge of the particular
medication and its proper dosage adjustments is crucial.
• Example: If a patient weighs 183 lbs, how many kg does the patient weight?
• Example: If the pharmacy sends you Dopamine 400 mg in 500 mL NS, what is the concentration
of medication in the IV bag?
• To find the mL/hr you will multiple across then divide the concentration at the end.
mcg x kg x min ÷ concentration = mL/hr
Titration Practice
• Physician order – Dopamine 400 mg in 500 mL NS to infuse at 8 mL/hr and
titrate to keep the SBP > 90 mmHg.
• Patient weight – 174 lbs