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IV Flow Rate Calculation

Iv flow rate calculation

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Yanyan Goc-ong
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27 views6 pages

IV Flow Rate Calculation

Iv flow rate calculation

Uploaded by

Yanyan Goc-ong
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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IV FLOW RATE CALCULATION

I. Calculating Large volume gtt/min rates from


ml/hr ordered.

Example 1 : An IV is ordered to infuse at a rate of 125 ml/hr using a


set calibrated at 10 gtt/ml. Calculate the gtt/m,in flow rate.

STEP 1 : change the ml/hr ordered to ml/min

• 125 ml ÷ 60 min = 2 ml/min

STEP 2 : Convert ml/min to ml/hr

SOLUTION
• Using RATIO & PROPORTION • Using FRACTIONS
10 gtt : 1 ml = X gtt : 2 ml 10 gtt = X gtt = 20 gtt
1 ml 2 ml
X = 20 gtt

II. Calculating small volume gtt/min rates from


ml/hr ordered.

Example 1 : An IV medication of 100 ml is to be infused in 40n min


using a set calibrated at 15 gtt/ml. Calculate the gtt/min flow rate..
Ref: Curren M (2005). Math for Meds: Dosage and Solutions. 9th ed. Delmar Learning. Canada
These notes are for review purpose only. No part of it can be copied or reproduce. All Rights reserved to the author.
STEP 1 : Calculate the ml/min to be administered.

SOLUTION
• Using RATIO & PROPORTION • Using FRACTIONS
100 ml : 40 min = X ml : 1 min 100 ml = X ml = 2.5 ml/min
40 min 1 min
X = 2.5 ml/min

STEP 2 : calculate the gtt/min rate.

SOLUTION
• Using RATIO & PROPORTION • Using FRACTIONS
15 gtt : 1 ml = X gtt : 2.5 ml 15 gtt = X gtt = 37.5 = 38 gtt
1 ml 2.5 ml
X = 37.5 =38 gtt

III. Formula Method of Flow Rate Calculation

FLOW RATE = Volume X Set Calibration


Time (in min)

Ref: Curren M (2005). Math for Meds: Dosage and Solutions. 9th ed. Delmar Learning. Canada
These notes are for review purpose only. No part of it can be copied or reproduce. All Rights reserved to the author.
Example 1 : An IV ordered to infuse at 125 ml/hr. Calculate the
gtt/min rate for a set calibrated at 10 gtt/ml
STEP 1 : Convert the hr to min

• 125 ml X 10 gtt/min
60 min

STEP 2 : calculate the gtt/min rate.

• 125 X 10 = 20.8 = 21 gtt/min


60

IV. Division Factor Method of Calculation

R NOTE : This Method can only be used if the rate is


expressed in ml/hr (ml/60min).

Example 1 : Administer IV at 125 ml/hr. The set calibration is 10


gtt/ml. Calculate the gtt/min rate. Express the hr rate as 60 min.

• 125 ml X 10 gtt/min = 20.8 = 21 gtt/min.


60 min

Ref: Curren M (2005). Math for Meds: Dosage and Solutions. 9th ed. Delmar Learning. Canada
These notes are for review purpose only. No part of it can be copied or reproduce. All Rights reserved to the author.
R NOTE : The gtt/min flow rate can be calculated for ml/hr
IV orders in one step by dividing thee ml/hr to be infused by
the division factor of the administration set.

Example 1 : Infuse an IV at 100 ml/hr using a set calibrated


at 10 gtt/ml

• Determine the division factor:


60 ÷ 10 = 6
• Calculate the flow rate
100 ml ÷ 6 = 16.6 = 17 gtt/min

Example 2 : Infuse an IV at 125 ml/hr using a set calibrated


at 15 gtt/ml

• Determine the division factor:


60 ÷ 15 = 4
• Calculate the flow rate
125 ml ÷ 4 = 31.2 = 31 gtt/min

R NOTE : For microdrip sets (60 gtt/ml) the gtt/min flow rate
will be identical to the ml/hr

Example : Infuse at 50 ml/hr using a micro drip set.

• 60 ÷ 60 = 1
• 50 ml ÷ 1 = 50 gtt/min

Ref: Curren M (2005). Math for Meds: Dosage and Solutions. 9th ed. Delmar Learning. Canada
These notes are for review purpose only. No part of it can be copied or reproduce. All Rights reserved to the author.
V. Regulating Flow Rate

Example 1 : An IV is to run at a rate of 60 gtt/min. What will the 15


sec count be?

• 60 gtt/min ÷ 4 = 15 gtt

V. Correcting off-schedule rates

Example 1 : An IV of 1000 ml was ordered to infuse over 10 hr


at a rate of 25 gtt/min. The set calibration is 15 gtt/ml.
After 5 hr a total of 650 ml have infused instead of the 500
ml ordered. Recalculate the new gtt/min flow rate to complete
the infusion on schedule.

• Time remaining 10 hr – 5 hr = 5 hr
• Volume remaining: 1000 ml – 650 ml = 350 ml
o 350 ml ÷ 5 hr = 70 ml/hr
• Set calibration is 15 gtt/ml
o 70 ÷ 4 (division factor) = 17.5 = 18 gtt/min

*Slow the rate from 25 gtt/min to 18 gtt/min

Example 2 : An IV of 500 ml was ordered to infusing at 28


gtt/min. It was to complete in 3 hr, but after 1 ½ hr only
175 ml have infused. Recalculate the new gtt/min flow rate to
complete the infusion on schedule. Set calibration is 10 gtt/ml

Ref: Curren M (2005). Math for Meds: Dosage and Solutions. 9th ed. Delmar Learning. Canada
These notes are for review purpose only. No part of it can be copied or reproduce. All Rights reserved to the author.
• Time remaining 3 hr – 1.5 hr = 1.5 hr
• Volume remaining: 500 ml – 175 ml = 325 ml
o 325 ml + 1.5 hr = 216.6 = 217 ml/hr
• Set calibration is 10 gtt/ml
o 217 ÷ 6 (division factor) = 36.1 = 36 gtt/min

*Increase the rate to 36 gtt/min.

Ref: Curren M (2005). Math for Meds: Dosage and Solutions. 9th ed. Delmar Learning. Canada
These notes are for review purpose only. No part of it can be copied or reproduce. All Rights reserved to the author.

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