The Lippincott Manual of Nursing
Practice, 7th ed. contains ambiguous expression of heparin
concentrations
On page 96, Table 6-4 there are several references to heparin
concentrations ("1:10 units/mL and 1:100 units/mL",
referring to concentrations of 10 units per mL and 100 units
per mL respectively). Also, on page 97, under "Procedural
Guidelines 6-2"it states "Syringe containing 1-2 mL
heparin solution 1:10 units/mL", referring to 10 units
per mL. These nonstandard expressions contain both a dilution
ratio (i.e. 1:10) and a unit concentration per mL, which can
be misinterpreted by the reader and result in dosing errors.
The publisher has been contacted and will change the expression
of concentration to units per mL in the 8th edition.
