Chapter 6 Calculation of Basic IV Drip Rates

Types of IV Fluids D5W = D5%W D5S = D5% 0.9NS D5½NS = D5% 0.45NS NS = 0.9% NS ½NS = 0.45% NS

IV Drip Factors Microdrip = 60 gtt/mL Macrodrip—need to check package To calculate IV drip rates, this information must be known.

Electric Infusion Pumps Volume for infusion Rate for infusion Turn pump on

IV Piggybacks on Electronic Infusion Pumps Secondary volume Secondary rate Turn pump on

Calculating Basic IV Drip Rates Number of milliliters to infuse×Drop factor Number of minutes to infuse =Drops per minute or gtt/minute When the order reads “hour,” convert to minutes by multiplying by 60 (60 minutes = 1 hour).

Calculating IV Drips for Infusion Pump Total number of milliliters ordered Number of hours to run =mL/hour

Question Order: 1000 mL D5W at 120 mL/hour Available macrodrip 15 gtt/mL What is the drip factor in drops per minute? 30 gtt/minute 31 gtt/minute 32 gtt/minute 33 gtt/minute

Answer 30 gtt/minute 120 mL×15 gtt/mL 60 minutes =30 gtt/minute

Determining Hours an IV Will Run Number of milliliters ordered Number of milliliters per hour =Number of hours to run

Question How many hours will 500 mL of D5½NS run at 75 mL/hour? Round to the nearest whole number. 4 hours 5 hours 6 hours 7 hours

Answer 500 mL 75 mL/hour =6.7 or 7 hours 7 hours Number of milliliters ordered Number of milliliters per hour =Number of hours to run 500 mL 75 mL/hour =6.7 or 7 hours

Choosing the Infusion Set Microdrip IV administered over a long period Small amount of fluid to be infused Macrodrops per minute are too few. Macrodrip Order specifies a large amount of fluid over a short time. Microdrips per minute are too many, and counting the drip rate becomes too difficult.

Adding Medications to IVs Check diluent and volume. Check dose and expiration date of reconstituted solution. Note whether the IV piggyback (IVPB) should be refrigerated before use and remain at room temperature. Calculate the drip rate, and record this information on IVPB label.

Reconstitution Device

Enteral Nutrition Used when a patient/client cannot eat or cannot eat enough Administered with a pump Intermittent Cyclic Continuous