Question

1,000 mL was to run in over 10 hours. At 4 hours you noticed 300 mL left in the bag. What was the original rate with a drop factor of 15?_ ______ How would you recalculate the rate to catch up? _______ Is it safe to change this to the new rate? _________

Answer 1

1. original rate with a drop factor 15.

(1000 mL x 15 gtt/min) ÷ (10 hrs. x 60 min)=25 drops/min

2. calculation for catch up rate:

1000 cc – 300 mL = 700 mL left;

(700 mL x 15 gtt/mL) ÷ (6 hrs. x 60 min)= 29.17 (29 drops/min)

3. we should take consent from the doctor, much faster infusion causes discomfort to the patient, but here there is no much difference in the rate of infusion. so it is relatively safe.