However, there is no need to factor in the size of the drop set, as the pump is able to make that calculation for you. The calculations are similar to regulating the flow with the roller clamp. When using an infusion pump, you will need to set the pump to a rate of flow, usually in mL per hour. Calculate how many gtt/min to set as the IV flow rate. You have a macrodrip tubing with a drop factor of 10 gtt/mL. Therefore, it is widely accepted to round to the nearest whole number.Įxample #2: The provider has ordered ranitidine (Zantac) 50 mg in 100 mL 0.9% sodium chloride intravenous piggyback to be infused over 20 min. However, it is impossible to visualize 0.2 gtt/min.
Since there are 60 minutes in one hour, multiply by the number of hours by 60 to figure out the time in minutes. Remember that time is in minutes, so you must convert hours to minutes. You have a macrodrip tubing with a drop factor of 15 gtt/mL available. Double check before performing your calculation.Įxample #1: The provider has ordered 1,000 mL 0.9% sodium chloride to infuse over 8 hr. The calibration should be prominent on the tubing packaging. Macrodrip tubing delivers between 10 gtt/mL and 15 gtt/mL and is used to administer large volumes of fluid or to infuse fluid quickly. All microdrip tubing delivers 60 gtt/mL and is used to deliver a small or very precise amount of fluid. Where volume is the amount of fluid in the IV bag, time is total number of minutes the fluid is to infuse over, and the drop factor (or drip factor) is related to the size of the IV tubing you are using the number of drops per mL delivered for a particular drip chamber. Use the following mathematical formula to determine IV flow rates in drops per minute (gtt/min): Either way, you will be responsible for calculating the correct rate of infusion, and ensuring the fluid infuses at the correct rate. While IV fluids may be infused by gravity and controlled manually, the use of an infusion pump is usually recommended. It is the nurse’s responsibility to make sure fluids will infuse at the prescribed rate, in accordance with the provider’s orders.
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