1. Chapter 6 Calculation of Basic IV Drip Rates

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

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

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

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

6. 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).

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

8. 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

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

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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. Reconstitution Device

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