1. IV infusions Calculating volume of fluid delivered over time:
Volume (mL) = rate (mL/hr) x time
Eg. 45 mL per hour x 7 hours = 315 mL
Calculating amount of time required to deliver fluid:
Time (h) =volume (mL) divided by rate (mL/h)
Eg. Patient ordered 750mL of solution. Infusion pump is set at 60mL per hour. How long will it take? 750/60 = 12 ½ hours

2. Determining delivery rate:
Rate (mL/h) = volume (mL)
time (h)
One litre of saline to be administered over 8 hours.
1000/8 = 125mL per hour
500mL of Hartmann’s solution over 7 hours.
500/7 = 71.4 = 71mL per hour

3. Drip rates: To calculate drip rates: Rate (drops/min) = volume (drops)
time (minutes)
750mL of fluid is to be given over 5 hours. The IV set delivers 20 drops per ml. At what rate (in drops per minute) should it drip?
750 x 20 divided by time in hours 5 x 60 (min)
150/3 = 50 drops per min.

4. IV drip rates Calculate drip rates:
An infant is ordered 150mL of Hartmann’s solution to run over 6 hours. The microdrip delivers 60 drops per mL.
0.5L of Dextrose 4% in 1/5 normal saline is to run over12 hours. The administration set delivers 20 drops per mL.
400mL of Normal Saline is to be infused over 10 hours using a microdrip giving set. The set delivers 60 drops per mL.