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Order: 1000 mL of D5½NS with 1 ampule of multiple vitamins to infuse over 8 hours

Available: Macrodrip set: 15 gtt/mL

Calculate the IV flow rate in gtt/min.

A.

31

B.

30

C.

32

D.

3.0

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Given:

Volume of fluid: 1000 mL

Infusion time: 8 hours

Drop factor: 15 gtt/mL

 

Formula:

Flow rate (gtt/min) = (Volume (mL) / Time (hr)) x Drop factor (gtt/mL) / 60 min/hr

 

Step 1: Calculate the infusion rate in mL/hr:

Infusion rate (mL/hr) = Volume (mL) / Time (hr)

Infusion rate (mL/hr) = 1000 mL / 8 hr

Infusion rate (mL/hr) = 125 mL/hr

 

Step 2: Calculate the flow rate in gtt/min:

Flow rate (gtt/min) = (Infusion rate (mL/hr) x Drop factor (gtt/mL)) / 60 min/hr

Flow rate (gtt/min) = (125 mL/hr x 15 gtt/mL) / 60 min/hr

Flow rate (gtt/min) = 1875 gtt/hr / 60 min/hr

Flow rate (gtt/min) = 31.25 gtt/min

 

Step 3: Round to the nearest whole number:

Flow rate (gtt/min) ≈ 31 gtt/min


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Identify the desired dose and the available concentration:

Desired dose: 5 mg of hydrocodone

Available concentration: 7.5 mg of hydrocodone in 15 mL of elixir

Calculate the volume needed for the desired dose using the formula:

Volume(mL)=(Desireddose(mg)/Availableconcentration(mg/mL))

Determine the available concentration in mg/mL:

Availableconcentration=(7.5mg/15mL)=0.5mg/mL

Calculate the volume needed for a 5 mg dose:

Volume(mL)=(5mg/0.5mg/mL)=10mL

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A) 0.2 mg
The correct way to write the dosage is 0.2 mg. In pharmacology and medication administration, it is important to follow the guidelines set by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) and other standard bodies, which recommend that a leading zero be used before a decimal point. This helps to prevent errors in interpreting the dosage. Writing 0.2 mg clearly indicates two-tenths of a milligram, and the leading zero makes it easier to avoid misreading the dose as a whole number (2.0 mg) or omitting the decimal point entirely.

B) .2 mg
Writing the dosage as .2 mg (without the leading zero) is considered unsafe and is a poor practice. The absence of the leading zero before the decimal point increases the likelihood that the dose may be misread. For example, someone could confuse .2 mg with 2.0 mg or misinterpret it in a hurried situation, which could lead to a tenfold dosing error

C) 2.0 mg
Writing 2.0 mg would indicate two milligrams, which is not the correct dosage for "two-tenths of a milligram." While this format does use a decimal point, it does not represent the correct dose. This error could lead to an overdose if misread as a whole number.

D) 0.20 mg
While 0.20 mg is technically correct, it is not the preferred or necessary format. The use of two decimal places is unnecessary in this case. Since the dosage is two-tenths of a milligram, 0.2 mg is simpler and clearer. Using an unnecessary trailing zero (the second "0") can cause confusion or misinterpretation, especially in critical settings where every detail counts.

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