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TUTORIAL
 Terms & Concepts
What is the IV flow rate? What is the drop factor?
The speed at which The number of drops
intravenous fluid infuses (abbreviated gtt)
into the body required to deliver 1mL of
fluid
What are the tubing
sizes?
What determines gtt/mL?
10, 15, or 20 gtt/mL
The size of the IV
(Macrodrip tubing) administration set (tubing)
60 gtt/mL (Microdrip
tubing)
How do you calculate the IV flow rate?
Using the IV flow rate formula
IV Flow Rate Formula
IV Flow Rate Formula is used when calculating an infusion
by gravity (without an IV pump).

Volume to be Infused (in mL) x Drop Factor = Flow Rate

Total Infusion Time (in minutes) (in gtt/min)

Electronic Flow Rate Formula is used when

calculating an infusion by IV pump (electronic
infusion device, or EID).

Volume to be Infused (in mL) = Flow Rate

Total Infusion Time (in hours) (in mL/h)
*Round all rates to the nearest whole
 Dosage Calculations

Complete necessary conversions (i.e. dosage

per weight, mass, volume, etc) prior to using
either of the two previous flow rate formulas.

Conversions may be calculated using:

Ratio/Proportion
Dimensional Analysis
Whatever method you are most comfortable
with and use consistently/correctly
 T
LE
S
CALCULATE

!
Order: Infuse 800mL of NS in 10 hours. #
This is a straight-forward IV flow rate 1
calculation, in which no conversion is
required.
We know we will be using the Electronic
Flow Rate Formula because we were
not given the tubing size or drop factor,
which would be required to calculate a
gravity flow rate.
800mL 10
The correct formula is: hours = 80mL/h
Volume to be Infused (in mL) =
Flow Rate
Total Infusion Time (in hours) (in
mL/h)
Order: Infuse 150mL of D5W in 30 minutes #
using an administration set with a drop 2
factor of 20gtt/mL.
This is also a straight-forward IV flow rate
calculation, in which no conversion is
required.
We know we will be using the IV Flow
Rate Formula because we were given the
drop factor. 150mL x 20gtt/mL
The correct formula is: 30 minutes =
100gtt/min
Volume to be Infused (in mL) x Drop Factor =
Flow Rate
Total Infusion Time (in minutes)
(in gtt/min)
Order: Infuse 100mL of LR by IV pump in 20
minutes. #
3
We know we will be using the Electronic Flow
Rate Formula because we were directed to
use an IV pump, and because we were not
given the tubing size or drop factor.
Before using our flow rate formula, we must
complete the necessary conversion(s).
To use our Electronic Flow Rate Formula, we
need the total volume to be infused in mL
(which we know), and the total infusion time
in hours (which we dont know).
We must convert minutes to hours using our
chosen dosage calculation method.
 CONTINUE
D
Order: Infuse 100mL of LR by IV pump in 20 minutes.
Our calculation method of choice is ratio/proportion,
which involves a 3-part process: 1) Set up ratio, 2)
Cross-multiply, 3) Isolate X by dividing its value by
itself

Step 1 20 min = X hour

60 min 1hour

Step 2 60(X) = 20(1) or 60X = 20

Step 3 60X = 20 so X = 0.33

60 60
 CONTINUE
D

Order: Infuse 100mL of LR by IV pump in 20

minutes.
Now that we have converted minutes to
hours (20 minutes = 0.33 hours), we can
use our Electronic Flow Rate Formula to
solve our IV dosage calculation problem.

100mL 0.33 hours = 303mL/h

(The IV pump would be programmed for

303 mL per hour in order to infuse the
desired 100 mL in 20 minutes.)
Order: Infuse 200mL of D5W in 4 hours using a
Microdrip tubing.
We know we will be using the IV Flow Rate
Formula because we were given a tubing size
(remember that a Microdrip administration
#
set delivers 60gtt/mL). 4
Before using our flow rate formula, we must
complete the necessary conversion(s).
To use our IV Flow Rate Formula, we need the
total volume to be infused in mL (which we
know), the drop factor (which we also know),
and the total infusion time in hours (which we
dont know).
We must convert hours to minutes using our
chosen dosage calculation method.
 CONTINUE
D

Order: Infuse 200mL of D5W in 4 hours

using a Microdrip tubing.
Complete the conversion calculation.

Step 1 4 hours = X minutes

1 hour 60 minutes

Step 2 1(X) = 4(60) or 1X = 240

Step 3 1X = 240 so X = 240

1 1
 CONTINUE
D
Order: Infuse 200mL of D5W in 4 hours
using a Microdrip tubing.
Now that we have converted hours to
minutes (4 hours = 240 minutes), we can
use our IV Flow Rate Formula to solve our
IV dosage calculation problem.
200mL x 60gtt/mL 240 minutes =
50gtt/min

(The roller clamp on the IV tubing would

be manually regulated to deliver 50 drops
per minute.)
 Reminders
When preparing to tackle any type of IV flow rate
calculation, be sure to determine what, if any,
conversions need to take place first.
Once you have completed all necessary
conversions, you are ready to calculate the IV
flow rate using one of the two IV flow rate
formulas weve discussed in this tutorial.
Remember, it is always best to be consistent with
the dosage calculation method you choose to
use when completing this type of problem.
CALCULATIO
N

Examples
Order: Give 500mg of dopamine in 250mL of
D5W to infuse at 20mg/h. Calculate the flow
rate in mL/h.
*In order to know how many mL we need to infuse in 1
hour per the IV pump, we need to convert our
dosage needed (20mg) into its equivalence in mL.
*Set up ratio, and then cross-multiply:
500mg = 250mL so 500X = 250(20)
20mg X mL

*Isolate X and solve:

500X = 5000 so X = 10mL
500 500

*There are 20mg of dopamine in 10mL of solution, so

we will program our IV pump at 10mL/h.
Your patient has an order to receive 800U of heparin
per hour by continuous intravenous infusion. If
the pharmacy mixes the IV bag to contain a total
of 5,000U of heparin in 500mL of D5W, how many
mL per hour should the patient receive?
*In order to calculate mL/hour, we need to convert our
dosage needed (800U) into its equivalence in mL.
*Set up ratio, and then cross-multiply:
5000U = 500mL so 5000X = 500(800)
800U X mL

*Isolate X and solve:

5000X = 400,000 so X = 80mL
5000 5000

*There are 800U of heparin in 80mL of solution, so we will

program our IV pump at 80mL/h.
Order: 21.7mg of dopamine in 105mL of D5W to
be infused at a rate of 9mg/h. Calculate the
flow rate in mL/h.
*In order to calculate mL/hour, we need to convert our
dosage needed (9mg) into its equivalence in mL.
*Set up ratio, and then cross-multiply:
21.7mg = 105mL so 21.7X = 9(105)
9mg X mL

*Isolate X and solve:

21.7X = 945 so X = 43.55mL
21.7 21.7

*There are 9mg of dopamine in 43.55mL of solution,

so we will program our IV pump at 44mL/h.
Order: Aggrastat at 12.5mg in 250mL to be infused at
a rate of 6 mcg/kg/hr in a patient who weighs
100kg. At what flow rate will you set the IV pump?
*For problems that include a weight/mass, do that
conversion 1st: 6mcg per kg = 6mcg x 100kg =
600mcg/hr
*Since our ordered dose is in mg, we need to convert mcg to
mg: 600mcg 1000 = 0.6mg/hr
*In order to calculate mL/hour, we need to convert our
dosage needed (0.6mg) into its equivalence in mL.
*Set up ratio, and then cross-multiply:
12.5mg = 250mL so 12.5X = 0.6(250)
0.6mg X mL
*Isolate X and solve:
12.5X = 150 so X = 12mL
12.5 12.5
*There are 0.6mg of Aggrastat in 12mL of solution, so we will
program our IV pump at 12mL/h.
A 1000cc solution of D5NS with 20,000U of heparin
is infusing at 20mL/h. The IV set delivers
60gtt/mL. How many units of heparin is the
patient receiving each hour?
*This is a reverse calculation, as we already know the
electronic flow rate (mL/h). We will use our dosage
calculation method to work through the problem.
*Set up ratio, and then cross-multiply:
20,000U = 1000mL so 1000X = 20(20,000)
XU 20mL
*Isolate X and solve:
1000X = 400,000 so X = 400U
1000 1000
*There are 400U of heparin in 20mL of solution, which
means the patient is receiving 400U of heparin per
hour. The drop factor is simply a distracter, and is not
used in this problem.
The physician orders an IV infusion of D5W
1000mL to be infused over the next 8 hours.
The IV tubing you are using delivers 15gtt/mL.
What is the correct rate of flow?
*In order to use the IV Flow Rate Formula, we need to
know time in minutes instead of hours, which is the
only conversion we will need to do to solve this
problem.
*We can eliminate the extra steps of a time conversion
by incorporating it into our formula:
1000mL x 15gtt/mL = 15,000 = 31.25
8 h x 60 min 480

*Remember our mL labels are cancelled out during the

calculation process, and we must round all flow rates,
leaving us with 31gtt/min as the correct rate of flow.
Your patient has an order to infuse 10mEq of KCl
in 100mL of D5NS over the next 30 minutes.
The set calibration is 10gtt/mL. What is the
correct rate of flow?
*We will be using the IV Flow Rate Formula, and no
conversion calculation is needed:
100mL x 10gtt/mL = 1000 30 = 33.33
30 min

*The correct rate of flow is 33gtt/min.

*Do not be confused by extra numbers, such as are used
in the name of a solution (i.e. D5W or NS). These
have no bearing on your dosage calculation.
*Be careful in determining which value(s) are pertinent
in solving your problem. In this example, the 10mEq of
KCl is not a necessary component in terms of
calculating the correct rate of flow, so ignore it!
The 0900 medications scheduled for your patient
include Keflex 1.5g in 50mL of a 5% dextrose
solution. According to the pharmacy, this
preparation should be administered in 30
minutes. The IV tubing on your unit delivers
15gtt/mL. What is the correct rate of flow in
gtt/min?
*We will be using the IV Flow Rate Formula, and no
conversion calculation is needed:
50mL x 15gtt/mL = 750 30 = 25
30 min

*The correct rate of flow is 25gtt/min.

*Again, remember the 5% dextrose is just describing
the type of solution, and the Keflex 1.5g does not
have anything to do with calculating the flow rate for
this problem.
On Wednesday afternoon, your patient returns
from surgery with an IV fluid order for 1000mL
every 8 hours. On Thursday morning at 0800,
you note that 600mL of a 1L bag has been
infused. The physician orders the remainder of
the bag to infuse over the next 6 hours. The IV
tubing used by your unit delivers 10gtt/mL.
What is the correct rate of flow?
*There are 400mL remaining in the IV bag, which needs
to be infused in 6 hours.
*We need to know time in minutes instead of hours,
which can be incorporated into our IV Flow Rate
Formula calculation:
400mL x 10gtt/mL = 4000 360 = 11.11
6 h x 60 min

*The correct rate of flow is 11gtt/min.

The physician orders 1.5L of Lactated Ringers
solution to be administered intravenously to
your patient over the next 12 hours. Calculate
the rate of flow if the IV tubing delivers
20gtt/mL.
*In order to utilize the IV Flow Rate Formula, we must
convert liters to milliliters and hours to minutes,
both of which can be completed as part of the
formula calculation:
(1.5L x 1000) x 20gtt/mL = 30,000 720 =
41.67
12 h x 60 min

*The correct rate of flow is 42gtt/min.

 Miscellaneo
Dosag us
e
Calculatio
ns
#1: The physician orders 200mg of
Rocephin to be taken by a 15.4 lb
infant every 8 hours. The medication
label shows that 75-150 mg/kg/day is
the appropriate dosage range for this
medication. Is the order within the
desired range?
Convert weight (lbs to kg):
15.4 lbs 2.2 = 7kg
Calculate minimum and maximum
dosage:
75mg x 7kg = 525mg
(minimum daily therapeutic dose)
150mg x 7kg = 1050mg
(maximum daily therapeutic dose)
Determine if the order is within range:
200mg every 8 hours (or 200mg x 3 times
per day) = 600mg
Solve the problem:
Yes, 600mg/day of Rocephin is within the
desired daily range of 525mg and
1050mg for this patient.
#2: Solumedrol 1.5mg/kg is ordered for
a child weighing 34 kg. This medication
is available as 125mg/2mL. How many
mL will you administer?
Calculate mg according to weight:
1.5mg/kg x 34 kg = 51mg
Convert mg to mL using your chosen
dosage calculation method:

125mg = 2mL so 125X = 51(2)

51 mg X mL

125X = 102 so X = .82mL

125 125

Solve the problem:

You will administer 0.82mL of Solumedrol
to this patient.
#3: You are to infuse 800mL of Lactated
Ringers over 20 hours using an IV
administration set that delivers
20gtt/mL. What is the drip rate?
Solve using the IV Flow Rate Formula:

800mL x 20gtt/mL = 16,000gtt =

13gtt/min
20 h x 60 min 1200 min
Calculate the mL/h of the following
orders via IV pump:

#4. Administer 1500mL of 0.9 NS in 24

hours.

#5. Administer 750mL of LR in 16

hours.

#6. Administer 500mL of D5W in 12

hours.

#7. Administer 2000mL of D5W in 24

hours.
Solve the previous calculations using
the Electronic Flow Rate Formula:

1500mL 24 hours = 63mL/h

750mL 16 hours = 47mL/h

500mL 12 hours = 42mL/h

2000mL 24 hours = 83mL/h

#8 Order: Administer 30mL of Ancef in
0.9 NS over 20 minutes via
intravenous infusion pump.
Convert minutes to hours:

20 minutes = X hours so 60X = 20(1)

60 minutes 1 hour

60X = 20 so X = 0.33 hours

60 60

Solve using the Electronic Flow Rate

Formula:

30mL 0.33 hours = 90mL/h

#9 Order: Administer 100mL of NS in
45 minutes.
Convert minutes to hours:

45 minutes = X hours so 60X = 45(1)

60 minutes 1 hour

60X = 45 so X = 0.75 hours

60 60

Solve using the Electronic Flow Rate

Formula:

100mL 0.75 hours = 133mL/h

#10 Order: Administer 150mL of D5W in
30 minutes.
Convert minutes to hours:

30 minutes = X hours so 60X = 30(1)

60 minutes 1 hour

60X = 30 so X = 0.5 hours

60 60

Solve using the Electronic Flow Rate

Formula:

150mL 0.5 hours = 300mL/h

#11 Your patient is to receive 2000mL of
D5W with a flow rate of 160mL/h. How
long will this order take to infuse?
Solve using your chosen dosage
calculation formula:

2000mL = X hours so 160X = 2000(1)

160mL 1 hour

160X = 2000 so X = 12.5 hours

160 160

*It will take 12 hours to infuse 2000mL of

D5W to your patient under this order.
#12 Your patient has been prescribed 1L
of NS. The IV pump is set at 150mL/h.
How long will this order take to infuse?
Solve using your chosen dosage
calculation formula:

1L x 1000 = 1000mL

1000mL = X hours so 150X = 1000(1)

150mL 1 hour

150X = 1000 so X = 6.7 hours

150 150

*It will take just under 7 hours to infuse

1000mL of NS to your patient under this
order.
#13 The physician orders D5W IV at
125mL/h. The infusion set is calibrated
for a drop factor of 10gtt/mL. Calculate
the IV flow rate in gtt/min.
Solve using the IV Flow Rate Formula:

125mL x 10gtt/mL = 1250gtt = 21gtt/min

1 h x 60 min 60 min
#14 Order: 150mL Lactated Ringers
solution to infuse in 30 minutes. The
drop factor is 15gtt/mL.
Solve using the IV Flow Rate Formula:

150mL x 15gtt/mL = 75gtt/min

30 min
#15 Order: Cefazolin 0.5g in 100mL D5W
IV piggyback to run over 30 minutes.
The drop factor is 20gtt/mL. What is the
drip rate?
Solve using the IV Flow Rate Formula:

100mL x 20gtt/mL = 67gtt/min

30 min
#16 Order: Ampicillan 500mg IV in
100mL of NS to infuse over 45
minutes. How will you program the
infusion pump?
Convert minutes to hours:

45 minutes = X hours so 60X = 45(1)

60 minutes 1 hour

60X = 45 so X = 0.75 hours

60 60

Solve using the Electronic Flow Rate

Formula:

100mL 0.75 hours = 133mL/h

#17 Order: Bactrim 500mg IV in 50mL
D5NS in 30 minutes by IV pump.
What is the mL/h?
Convert minutes to hours:

30 minutes = X hours so 60X = 30(1)

60 minutes 1 hour

60X = 30 so X = 0.5 hours

60 60

Solve using the Electronic Flow Rate

Formula:

50mL 0.5 hours = 100mL/h

#18 Order: NS 1800mL IV to infuse in 15
hours by infusion pump. Calculate the
flow rate.
Solve using the Electronic Flow Rate
Formula:

1800mL 15 hours = 120mL/h

#19 You receive a physicians order for
D5W 250mL IV over the next 2 hours
by infusion pump. What is the mL/h?
Solve using the Electronic Flow Rate
Formula:

250mL 2 hours = 125mL/h

#20 You receive an order for D5W
500mL with heparin 25,000U IV at
850U per hour. Calculate the flow rate
in mL/h.
Convert U/h to mL/h to solve this
problem:

25,000U = 500mL so 25,000X =

850(500)
850U X mL

25,000X = 425,000 so X = 17mL/h

25,000 25,000

*The flow rate is 17mL/h.

#21 You receive an order for D5W
1000mL IV to infuse at 50mL/h to begin
at 0600. At what time will this IV be
complete?
Solve using your chosen dosage
calculation formula:

1000mL = X hours so 50X = 1000(1)

50mL 1 hour

50X = 1000 so X = 20 hours

50 50

*This IV will be complete at 0200 the

following morning.
#22 You receive an order for LR solution
1000mL IV to run at 125mL/h. How
long will this IV last?
Solve using your chosen dosage
calculation formula:

1000mL = X hours so 125X = 1000(1)

125mL 1 hour

125X = 1000 so X = 8 hours

125 125

*This IV will last for 8 hours.

#23 Order: Dobutamine 250mg in
250mL D5W per IV to infuse at
5mcg/kg/min. The clients weight is 80
kg. Calculate the flow rate using an
infusion pump.
Calculate mcg according to weight:
5mcg/kg x 80 kg = 400mcg/min
Convert mcg/min to mg/min:
400mcg 1000 = 0.4mg/min
Convert mg/min to mg/hour:
0.4mg x 60 minutes = 24mg/h
Convert mg to mL based on dosage on
hand:
250mg = 250mL so 250X = 24(250)
24mg X mL

250X = 6000 so X = 24mL

250 250
Solve using the Electronic Flow Rate
Formula:
#24 Order: Lidocaine 2g in 500mL D5W
IV to run at 4 mg/min. What is the flow
rate per IV pump?
Convert g to mg:
2g x 1000 = 2000mg

Convert mg/min to mL/min based on

dosage on hand:
2000mg = 500mL so 2000X = 4(500)
4mg X mL

2000X = 2000 so X = 1mL/min

2000 2000

Convert mL/min to mL/h to solve the

problem:
1mL x 60 minutes = 60mL/h
#25 Order: Ancef 1g in 100mL D5W IV
piggyback to be infused over 45
minutes. You are using a Microdrip
tubing. What is the flow rate in gtt/min?
Solve using the IV Flow Rate Formula:

100mL x 60gtt/mL = 133gtt/min

45 min
#26 Order: 50mL Zofran solution IV
piggyback to infuse over 30 minutes.
The drop factor is 60gtt/mL. What is
the flow rate in gtt/min?
Solve using the IV Flow Rate Formula:

50mL x 60gtt/mL = 100gtt/min

30 min
#27 Order: 1000mL D5W IV q 24 hours.
The drop factor is 60gtt/mL. What is the
flow rate in gtt/min?
Convert hours to minutes and solve
using the IV Flow Rate Formula:
1000mL x 60gtt/mL = 60,000 =
42gtt/min
24 hours x 60 minutes 1440
#28 A dose strength of gr of an IV
push medication is ordered. The
available dosage is 15mg/mL. How
many mL will you administer?
Convert gr to mg:
1grain = 60mg so 1X = (60)
grain X mg

1X = 15 so X = 15mg
11
Solve the problem:
15mg = 1mL, so you will administer 1mL.
#29 You have an order for epinephrine
to be infused at 30mL/h. The solution
available is 2mg of epinephrine in
250mL D5W. Calculate the mcg/min.
Convert mL/h to mg/h based on dosage
on hand:
2mg = 250mL so 250X = 2(30)
X mg 30mL

250X = 60 so X = 0.24mg/h
250 250

Convert mg/h to mcg/h:

0.24mg x 1000 = 240mcg/h

Convert mcg/h to mcg/min to solve the

problem:
240mcg 60 minutes = 4mcg/min
#30 Aminophyline 0.25g is added to
500mL D5W to infuse in 8 hours.
Calculate the mg/h.
Use the Electronic Flow Rate Formula to
determine mL/h:
500mL 8h = 62.5mL/h

Convert mL/h to g/h based on dosage on

hand:
0.25g = 500mL so 500X = 0.25(62.5)
X g 62.5mL

500X = 15.6 so X = 0.03g/h

500 500

Convert g/h to mg/h to solve the

problem:
0.03g x 1000 = 30mg/h
#31 You receive an order to infuse
500mL NS with 30,000U heparin at
600U/h. The drop factor is 60gtt/mL.
What is the gtt/min?
Convert U/h to mL/h per on dosage on
hand:
30,000U = 500mL so 30,000X =
500(600)
600U X mL

30,000X = 300,000 so X = 10mL/h

30,000 30,000

Convert hours to minutes and solve

using the IV Flow Rate Formula:
10mL x 60gtt/mL = 10gtt/min
1 hour x 60 minutes
#32 A patient is to receive Pitocin at
15microgtt/min. The solution contains
10U Pitocin in 1000mL D5W. Calculate
the number of units of Pitocin the
patient is receiving per hour.
Convert mgtt/min to mgtt/h:
15mgtt x 60 minutes = 900mgtt/h

Convert mgtt/h to mL/h (*remember

Microdrip tubing delivers 60 drops in
1mL):
60mgtt = 1mL so 60X = 900(1)
900mgtt X mL

60X = 900 so X = 15mL/h

60 60

*Continued on next slide

Convert mL/h to U/h:
10U = 1000mL so 1000X = 10(15)
XU 15mL

1000X = 150 so X = 0.15U

1000 1000

Solve the problem:

The patient is receiving 0.15U/hour of
Pitocin.
#33 You have an order for 3 mcg/kg/min
of Nipride. You have available 50mg of
Nipride in 250mL D5W. The clients
weight is 60 kg. Calculate the flow
rate in mL/h that will deliver the
correct dose.
Calculate mcg according to weight:
3mcg/kg x 60 kg = 180mcg/min
Convert mcg/min to mg/min:
180mcg 1000 = 0.18mg/min
Convert mg/min to mg/hour:
0.18mg x 60 minutes = 10.8mg/h
Convert mg to mL based on dosage on
hand:
50mg = 250mL so 50X = 10.8(250)
10.8mg X mL

50X = 2700 so X = 54mL

50 50
Solve using the Electronic Flow Rate
Formula:
#34 A 50mg nitroglycerin drip in 250mL
D5W is infusing at 3mL/h. Calculate
the mcg/min of nitroglycerin this
patient is receiving.
Convert mL/h to mg/h based on dosage
on hand:
50mg = 250mL so 250X = 50(3)
X mg 3mL

250X = 150 so X = 0.6mg/h

250 250

Convert mg/h to mcg/h:

0.6mg x 1000 = 600mcg/h

Convert mcg/h to mcg/min to solve the

problem:
600mcg 60 minutes = 10mcg/min
#35 A dose strength of 0.3g of a
medication has been ordered to infuse
over 20 minutes. The available dosage
is 0.4g in 1.5mL of solution. Calculate
the mL/h.
Convert g to mL based on dosage on
hand:
0.4g = 1.5mL so 0.4X = 0.3(1.5)
0.3g X mL

0.4X = 0.45 so X = 1.125mL

0.4 0.4
Convert minutes to hours:
20 minutes = X hours so 60X = 20(1)
60 minutes 1 hour

60X = 20 so X = 0.33 hours

60 60
Use the Electronic Flow Rate Formula to
solve: