If a patient has an IV ordered to infuse at 1000 mL over 10 hours with a calibration of 15 gtt/mL, what is the required infusion rate in gtt/min?

If a patient has an IV ordered to infuse at 1000 mL over 10 hours with a calibration of 15 gtt/mL, what is the required infusion rate in gtt/min?

• A. 20 gtt/min
• B. 25 gtt/min
• C. 30 gtt/min
• D. 35 gtt/min

Answer: (B)

To determine the required infusion rate in drops per minute, you first need to calculate the total volume to be infused, the total time of infusion, and the drop factor provided. In this case, the patient is to receive 1000 mL over 10 hours. To find the infusion rate in mL per hour, you divide the total volume by the total time: 1000 mL ÷ 10 hours = 100 mL/hour. Next, convert this hourly rate into a per minute rate by dividing by 60 minutes: 100 mL/hour ÷ 60 minutes/hour = 1.67 mL/min. Now, to convert the mL/min to drops per minute, you can use the calibration of the IV tubing, which is 15 gtt/mL. Multiply the mL/min rate by the drop factor: 1.67 mL/min × 15 gtt/mL = 25.05 gtt/min. Rounding this value gives approximately 25 gtt/min, which aligns with one of the choices available. This calculation demonstrates the necessary steps to effectively arrive at the infusion rate, confirming that the infusion rate of 25 gtt/min is accurate based on the given parameters.

To determine the required infusion rate in drops per minute, you first need to calculate the total volume to be infused, the total time of infusion, and the drop factor provided.

In this case, the patient is to receive 1000 mL over 10 hours. To find the infusion rate in mL per hour, you divide the total volume by the total time:

1000 mL ÷ 10 hours = 100 mL/hour.

Next, convert this hourly rate into a per minute rate by dividing by 60 minutes:

100 mL/hour ÷ 60 minutes/hour = 1.67 mL/min.

Now, to convert the mL/min to drops per minute, you can use the calibration of the IV tubing, which is 15 gtt/mL. Multiply the mL/min rate by the drop factor:

1.67 mL/min × 15 gtt/mL = 25.05 gtt/min.

Rounding this value gives approximately 25 gtt/min, which aligns with one of the choices available. This calculation demonstrates the necessary steps to effectively arrive at the infusion rate, confirming that the infusion rate of 25 gtt/min is accurate based on the given parameters.