Question

Intravenous Calculations

1. Directions: Determine the following in drops per minute using the drop factor provided.

Lactated Ringer solution is infusing at 45 microgtt/min. The drop factor is 60 gtt/mL. How much fluid volume will the client receive in 5 hr? _____

2. Directions: Determine the following in drops per minute using the drop factor provided.

D5 NS is infusing at 28 macrogtt/min. The drop factor is 10 gtt/mL. How much fluid volume will the client receive in 8 hr? _____

Answer 1

gtt is an abbreviated form of drop.

Microdrip : Micro tubing is narrower and produce smaller drops.

Drop factor : It is the amount of drops that makes up 1 ml of iv solution.

For micro drip the drop factor is 60 drops per ml. This means that 60 drops from a micro drip tube is equal to 1 ml of solution.

1) gtt/min = volume ( in ml) × Dilution factor ÷ time ( in minutes).

volume (ml) = gtt/min × time ( min) ÷ dilution factor.

= 45 gtt/min × 300 min ÷ 60 gtt/ ml

= 45 gtt × 300 ÷ 60 gtt/ml

= 45 × 5 ml

= 225 ml.

The clinet will receive 225 ml of fluid volume till end with a iv micro drip rate of 45 microgtt / min.

2) Macro drip : Macro drip tubing usually have a larger diameter.

Macro tube delivers 10-20 gtt/ ml.

gtt/min = volume (ml) × dilution factor÷ time( min).

volume (ml) = gtt/min × time (min) ÷ Dilution factor.

= 28gtt/min × 480 min ÷ 10 gtt / ml

= 28gtt × 480 ÷ 10 gtt/ml

= 28 × 480 ml÷ 10

= 28×48 ml

= 1344 ml.

The client will receive 1344 ml of fluid in 8 hrs with macro drip infusing at 28 macrogtt/min.