Copyright © 2016 Wolters Kluwer All Rights Reserved Chapter 6 Calculation of Basic IV Drip Rates

Copyright © 2016 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved

Chapter 6Calculation of

Basic IV Drip Rates

Chapter 6Calculation of

Basic IV Drip Rates


Types of IV FluidsTypes of IV Fluids

• D5W = D5%W

• D5S = D5% 0.9NS

• D5½NS = D5% 0.45NS

• NS = 0.9% NS

• ½NS = 0.45% NS


IV Drip FactorsIV Drip Factors

• Microdrip = 60 gtt/mL

• Macrodrip—need to check package

10 gtt/mL

15 gtt/mL

20 gtt/mL

• To calculate IV drip rates, this information must be known.


Electric Infusion PumpsElectric Infusion Pumps

• Volume for infusion

• Rate for infusion

• Turn pump on


IV Piggybacks on Electronic Infusion PumpsIV Piggybacks on Electronic Infusion Pumps

• Secondary volume

• Secondary rate

• Turn pump on


Calculating Basic IV Drip RatesCalculating Basic IV Drip Rates

•

• When the order reads “hour,” convert to minutes by multiplying by 60 (60 minutes = 1 hour).


Calculating IV Drips for Infusion PumpCalculating IV Drips for Infusion Pump

Totalnumber of milliliters o r deredNumber of hours ¿

run ¿=mL /hour


QuestionQuestion

Order: 1000 mL D5W at 120 mL/hour Available macrodrip 15 gtt/mL

What is the drip factor in drops per minute?

A. 30 gtt/minute

B. 31 gtt/minute

C. 32 gtt/minute

D. 33 gtt/minute


AnswerAnswer

A. 30 gtt/minute


Determining Hours an IV Will RunDetermining Hours an IV Will Run

N umber of milliliters orderedNumber of milliliters per hour

=Number of hours ¿ run


QuestionQuestion

How many hours will 500 mL of D5½NS run at 75 mL/hour? Round to the nearest whole number.

A. 4 hours

B. 5 hours

C. 6 hours

D. 7 hours


AnswerAnswer

D. 7 hours


Choosing the Infusion SetChoosing 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.


Adding Medications to IVsAdding 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.


Reconstitution DeviceReconstitution Device


Enteral NutritionEnteral Nutrition

• Used when a patient/client cannot eat or cannot eat enough

• Administered with a pump

– Intermittent

– Cyclic

– Continuous

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Copyright © 2016 Wolters Kluwer All Rights Reserved Chapter 6 Calculation of Basic IV Drip Rates