Question

The Dr. ordered 1 L of Normal Saline to infuse per gravity over 12 hours. The nurse selects the following tubing: Primary IV Set, Non-Vented, 20 gtt/ml

Based on the above information, calculate:

- How many ml/hr the client will receive: ____ml/hr

- The IV flow rate will be set at: ______ gtt/min.

- The infusion started at 7:00 am. At 12:00 pm only 400 mL has infused.   Recalculate the new IV flow rate in order to finish the infusion by 4:00pm, The new IV flow rate is set at _____gtt/min.

Answer 1

i. Total voulme of Normal Saline ordered by the doctor = 1L or 1000mL (Since 1L = 1000mL)

Time provided = 12 hours

Therefore Rate = Volume/Time = 1000mL/12 hours = 83.33mL/hr

ii. Drop factor = 20gtt/mL

Therefore IV flow rate = 20gtt/mL * 1000mL/12 hours (We have taken the fraction value so as to simplify the calculation)

IV flow rate = 20gtt/mL * 1000mL/12*60min (Since 1hr = 60min)

IV flow rate = 20000gtt / 720min = 27.78 gtt/min

iii.  The infusion started at 7:00 am. At 12:00 pm only 400 mL has infused.

It means in (12 - 7) = 5 hours, 400mL was infused.

Time left for the left over infusion of NS = 12 - 5 = 7hrs (prescribed by the doctor)

Volume left = 1000ml - 400ml = 600ml

Therefore, new rate = 600ml/7hr = 20gtt/mL * 600mL/7*60min = 200gtt/7min = 28.57gtt/min