A nurse is preparing to administer 0.45% sodium chloride (NaCl) 1000 mL IV to infuse over 8 hr. The nurse should set the IV pump to deliver how many mL/hr?
(Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero)

To calculate the infusion rate in gtt/min, we need to know the total number of drops (gtt) needed

for the entire infusion and the time it takes to complete the infusion. Given:

• Ringer's lactate: 500 mL
• Infusion time: 3 hours

• Drop factor: 20 gtt/mL

First, let's calculate the total number of drops needed for the entire infusion: Total drops = Volume (mL) × Drop factor (gtt/mL)

Total drops = 500 mL × 20 gtt/mL Total drops = 10,000 gtt

Next, we need to determine the infusion rate in gtt/min. Since the infusion time is given in hours, we need to convert it to minutes:

Infusion time (min) = Infusion time (hours) × 60 min/hour Infusion time (min) = 3 hours × 60 min/hour

Infusion time (min) = 180 min

Now, we can calculate the infusion rate in gtt/min:

Infusion rate (gtt/min) = Total drops / Infusion time (min) Infusion rate (gtt/min) = 10,000 gtt / 180 min

Infusion rate (gtt/min) ≈ 55.6 gtt/min (Rounded off- 56 gtt/min)

A. Decreased urine specific gravity:In fluid volume deficit, urine becomes more concentrated due to decreased kidney perfusion and water conservation by the body. This results in an increased urine specific gravity.

B. Decreased Hgb:Fluid volume deficit typically leads to hemoconcentration because there is less plasma volume, which makes hemoglobin and hematocrit levels appear elevated.

C. Increased urine ketones:While increased urine ketones may occur in dehydration associated with starvation or diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), it is not a hallmark finding in general fluid volume deficit. The presence of ketones depends on the underlying cause, not on fluid volume status alone.

D. Increased BUN:Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) increases in fluid volume deficit because of hemoconcentration and reduced kidney perfusion, which slows the excretion of urea. The ratio of BUN to creatinine is often elevated in dehydration (>20:1).