In: Nursing
Medication order reads: 1000 mL LR to infuse in 8 hrs. Drop factor is 15 gtts/mL. Flow rate = _______ gtt(s)/min
Flow rate = 31.25 gtts/min or 31 gtts/min (rounded off value)
Solution:
Medication order = 1000mL Lactated Ringer (LR)/ 8 hrs.
Drop factor = 15 gtts/mL
Method 1: By using Dimensional analysis method: In this method, the terms of the problem are set up in a manner that only required dimensions (i.e gtts/min) are obtained while remaining units are cancelled off using appropriate conversion factors (i.e hrs to min in this case)
Flow rate (gtts/min) = [since, 1 hr = 60 min]
= (15,000/480) gtts/min
= 31.25 gtts/min or
= 31 gtts/min
Hence, the flow rate = 31.25 gtts/min or 31 gtts/min.
Method 2: By using formula method
Time for infusion = 8 hr x = 480 min
Flow rate (gtts/min) =
=
= (15,000/480) gtts/min
= 31.25 gtts/min or
= 31 gtts/min
Hence, the flow rate = 31.25 gtts/min or 31 gtts/min