Chapter 6 Calculation of Basic IV Drip Rates

Types of IV Fluids • D 5 W = D 5%W • D 5

IV Drip Factors • Microdrip = 60 gtt/m. L • Macrodrip—need to check package 10 gtt/m. L 15 gtt/m. L 20 gtt/m. L • To calculate IV drip rates, this information must be known. Copyright © 2016 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved

Electric Infusion Pumps • Volume for infusion • Rate for infusion • Turn pump

IV Piggybacks on Electronic Infusion Pumps • Secondary volume • Secondary rate • Turn

Calculating Basic IV Drip Rates • Copyright © 2016 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights

Calculating IV Drips for Infusion Pump • Copyright © 2016 Wolters Kluwer • All

Question Order: 1000 m. L D 5 W at 120 m. L/hour Available macrodrip 15 gtt/m. L What is the drip factor in drops per minute? A. 30 gtt/minute B. 31 gtt/minute C. 32 gtt/minute D. 33 gtt/minute Copyright © 2016 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved

Answer • Copyright © 2016 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved

Determining Hours an IV Will Run • Copyright © 2016 Wolters Kluwer • All

Question How many hours will 500 m. L of D 5½NS run at 75 m. L/hour? Round to the nearest whole number. A. 4 hours B. 5 hours C. 6 hours D. 7 hours Copyright © 2016 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved

Choosing the Infusion Set • Microdrip – IV administered over a long period – Small amount of fluid to be infused – Macrodrops per minute are too few. • Macrodrip – Order specifies a large amount of fluid over a short time. – Microdrips per minute are too many, and counting the drip rate becomes too difficult. Copyright © 2016 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved

Adding Medications to IVs • Check diluent and volume. • Check dose and expiration date of reconstituted solution. • Note whether the IV piggyback (IVPB) should be refrigerated before use and remain at room temperature. • Calculate the drip rate, and record this information on IVPB label. Copyright © 2016 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved