Calculating Flow Rates for Infusion Pumps in mL/hr:Formula:
Example: the order is to infuse 1 liter of 0.9% Normal Saline in
8 hours.
Example: The order is to infuse Gentamicin 100 mg in 100 mL of
0.9% Normal Saline over 30 minutes.
Your Turn:Now figure the same order to infuse over 20 minutes,
and then 15 minutes. When you've completed your calculation, roll
your mouse over the equation to compare your answer to the correct
answer.
Top Calculating Flow Rate in Drops per MinuteKnow drop factor in
drops per milliliter (gtt/mL) of infusion set:Microdrip: 60
gtt/mLMacrodrip: 20 gtt/mL15 gtt/mL10 gtt/mLFormula Method:
Example: The order is to infuse 1 liter of 0.9% Normal Saline in
8 hours.Calculate drops per minute using the following infusion
sets:Microdrip: 60 gtt/mLMacrodrip: 20 gtt/mL15 gtt/mL10
gtt/mL(HINT: figure mL/hr first!)
Your Turn:The order is to infuse Gentamicin 100 mg in 100 mL of
0.9% Normal Saline over 30 minutes. Calculate drops per minute
using microdrip (60gtt/mL) and macrodrip (10 gtt/mL). When you've
completed your calculation, roll your mouse over the equation to
compare your answer to the correct answer.
Top Step Formula for Drops/MinuteYour Turn:Go ahead and complete
the following equations. When you've completed your calculations,
roll your mouse over the equation to compare your answer to the
correct answer.Step 1: Figure mL/hr
Step 2: Firgure mL/min
Step 3: Figure gtt/mL
Top Shortcut Method for Calculating Drops per MinuteThis method
is helpful when an institution uses the same macrodrop set
throughout. For example, St. Lukes' uses the Travenol brand of
macrodrip infusion tubing which delivers 10 ggt/mL.Step 1:
Calculate teh drop factor constant (division factor) for the IV
administration set. Divide 60 by drop factor calibration.Example:
Calculate teh drop factor constant for the following infusion
sets.Microdrip: 60 gtt/mLMacrodrip: 20 gtt/mL15 gtt/mL10 gtt/mL
Step 2: Divide mL/hr by the drop factor constant.
Your Turn:The order is to infuse 0.9% Normal Saline at 200
mL/hr. Calculate the drops per minute using macrodrip (10 gtt/mL)
infusion set.. When you've completed your calculations, roll your
mouse over the equation to compare your answer to the correct
answer.
Top Calculating Infusion TimeFormula using mL/hr:
Your Turn:Calculate the infusion time for 2 liters of 0.9%
Normal Saline to infuse at 150 mL/hr. When you've completed your
calculation, roll your mouse over the equation to compare your
answer to the correct answer.
Now convert the .33 to minutes:
Infusion time is 13 hours and 20 minutes.
Formula using gtt/min:Solve the formula for x
Example: an IV is regulated at 30 gtt/min using a macrodrip (10
gtt/mL) infusion set. Calculate the infusion time for 150 mL to
infuse.
Top Calculating Units per HourStep 1: Set up a proportion with
teh known on one side and the unknown on the other.Example: The
order is to start Insulin at 8 units per hour. The insulin bag
contains 100 units of insulin in 200 mL of 0.9% Normal Saline.
OR
