TO CALCULATE RATE USING MINUTES

volume x calibration minutes

= gtt/min

TO CALCULATE RATE USING HOURS

volume x calibration hours x 60

= gtt/min

1) Give a 50cc IVPB over 30 minutes using IV tubing with a calibration of 10. How many drops per minute should this IVPB be set for? See the example below. select "x = minutes" x = 30 volume = 50 calibration = 10 Actual formula:
50 x 10 30

= 16.7 or 17 g

2) Using IV tubing alone (calibrated at 60), prepare an IV to infuse 1 liter over 8 hours. How many drops per minute should the IV be set for? See the example below. select "x = hours" x=8 volume = 1000 calibration = 60 Actual formula:
1000ml x 60 8 x 60

= 125 gtt/min

Note, when using microdrip tubing (calibration = 60), the drip rate will be the same as mL/hr. This will save you the time of calculating the drip rate if asked to give the rate in mL/hr. 3) The doctor orders an IV to infuse at 125cc/hr. Calculate the flow rate using 10 drop/min IV tubing. select "x = milliters/hour" x = 125 calibration = 10 Actual formula:
125cc x 10 = 20.8 or 21 gtt/min 60

How to calculate IV flow rates:

Intravenous fluid must be given at a specific rate, neither too fast nor too slow. The specific rate may be measured as ml/hour, L/hour or drops/min. To control or adjust the flow rate only drops per minute are used. The burette contains a needle or plastic dropper which gives the number of drops per ml (the drop factor). A number of different drop factors are available (determined by the length and diameter of the needle). Common drop factors are: 10 drops/ml (blood set), 15 drops / ml (regular set), 60 drops / ml (microdrop). To measure the rate we must know: (a) the number of drops (b) time in minutes. The formula for working out flow rates is:

volume (ml) X drop factor (gtts / ml) = gtts / min --------------------------------------------(flow rate) time (min) Example: 1500 ml IV Saline is ordered over 12 hours. Using a drop factor of 15 drops / ml, how many drops per minute need to be delivered?

1500 (ml) X 15 (gttss / ml) --------------------------------------------------- = 31 gtts / minute 12 x 60 (gives us total minutes)