IV Dosage Calculations Tutorial.pptx - mccneb.edu

TUTORIAL

CALCULATIONS

DOSAGE

INTRAVENO

US

Terms & ConceptsWhat is the IV flow rate?

The speed at which intravenous fluid infuses

into the body

What is the drop factor?The number of drops (abbreviated “gtt”)

required to deliver 1mL of fluid

What determines gtt/mL?The size of the IV

administration set (tubing)

What are the tubing sizes?

10, 15, or 20 gtt/mL (Macrodrip tubing)

60 gtt/mL (Microdrip tubing)

How do you calculate the IV flow rate?Using the IV flow rate formula

IV Flow Rate FormulaIV Flow Rate Formula is used when calculating an infusion by gravity (without an IV pump).

Volume to be Infused (in mL) x Drop Factor = Flow Rate Total Infusion Time (in minutes) (in gtt/min)

Electronic Flow Rate Formula is used when calculating an infusion by IV pump (electronic infusion device, or EID).

Volume to be Infused (in mL) = Flow RateTotal Infusion Time (in hours) (in mL/h)

*Round all rates to the nearest whole number

Dosage Calculations

Complete necessary conversions (i.e. dosage per weight, mass, volume, etc) prior to using either of the two previous flow rate formulas.

Conversions may be calculated using:• Ratio/Proportion• Dimensional Analysis• Whatever method you are most comfortable

with and use consistently/correctly

!CALCULATE

LET’S

800mL ÷ 10 hours = 80mL/h

Volume to be Infused (in mL) = Flow Rate

Total Infusion Time (in hours) (in mL/h)

Order: Infuse 800mL of NS in 10 hours.• This is a straight-forward IV flow rate

calculation, in which no conversion is required.

• We know we will be using the Electronic Flow Rate Formula because we were not given the tubing size or drop factor, which would be required to calculate a gravity flow rate.

• The correct formula is:

#1

150mL x 20gtt/mL ÷ 30 minutes =

100gtt/min

Order: Infuse 150mL of D5W in 30 minutes using an administration set with a drop factor of 20gtt/mL.

• This is also a straight-forward IV flow rate calculation, in which no conversion is required.

• We know we will be using the IV Flow Rate Formula because we were given the drop factor.

• The correct formula is:

#2

Volume to be Infused (in mL) x Drop Factor = Flow Rate

Total Infusion Time (in minutes) (in gtt/min)

Order: Infuse 100mL of LR by IV pump in 20 minutes.

• We know we will be using the Electronic Flow Rate Formula because we were directed to use an IV pump, and because we were not given the tubing size or drop factor.

• Before using our flow rate formula, we must complete the necessary conversion(s).• To use our Electronic Flow Rate Formula, we

need the total volume to be infused in mL (which we know), and the total infusion time in hours (which we don’t know).

• We must convert minutes to hours using our chosen dosage calculation method.

#3

Order: Infuse 100mL of LR by IV pump in 20 minutes.• Our calculation method of choice is ratio/proportion,

which involves a 3-part process: 1) Set up ratio, 2) Cross-multiply, 3) Isolate X by dividing its value by itself

Step 1 20 min = X hour60 min 1hour

Step 2 60(X) = 20(1) or 60X = 20

Step 3 60X = 20 so X = 0.33 60 60

CONTINUED

Order: Infuse 100mL of LR by IV pump in 20 minutes.

• Now that we have converted minutes to hours (20 minutes = 0.33 hours), we can use our Electronic Flow Rate Formula to solve our IV dosage calculation problem.

(The IV pump would be programmed for 303 mL per hour in order to infuse the

desired 100 mL in 20 minutes.)

100mL ÷ 0.33 hours = 303mL/h

CONTINUED

Order: Infuse 200mL of D5W in 4 hours using a Microdrip tubing.

• We know we will be using the IV Flow Rate Formula because we were given a tubing size (remember that a Microdrip administration set delivers 60gtt/mL).

• Before using our flow rate formula, we must complete the necessary conversion(s).• To use our IV Flow Rate Formula, we need the

total volume to be infused in mL (which we know), the drop factor (which we also know), and the total infusion time in hours (which we don’t know).

• We must convert hours to minutes using our chosen dosage calculation method.

#4


• Complete the conversion calculation.

Step 1 4 hours = X minutes1 hour 60 minutes

Step 2 1(X) = 4(60) or 1X = 240

Step 3 1X = 240 so X = 240 1 1

CONTINUED


• Now that we have converted hours to minutes (4 hours = 240 minutes), we can use our IV Flow Rate Formula to solve our IV dosage calculation problem.

(The roller clamp on the IV tubing would be manually regulated to deliver 50 drops

per minute.)

200mL x 60gtt/mL ÷ 240 minutes = 50gtt/min

CONTINUED

Reminders

When preparing to tackle any type of IV flow rate calculation, be sure to determine what, if any, conversions need to take place first.

Once you have completed all necessary conversions, you are ready to calculate the IV flow rate using one of the two IV flow rate formulas we’ve discussed in this tutorial.

Remember, it is always best to be consistent with the dosage calculation method you choose to use when completing this type of problem.

Examples

CALCULATION

Order: Give 500mg of dopamine in 250mL of D5W to infuse at 20mg/h. Calculate the flow rate in mL/h.

*In order to know how many mL we need to infuse in 1 hour per the IV pump, we need to convert our dosage needed (20mg) into its equivalence in mL.

*Set up ratio, and then cross-multiply:500mg = 250mL so 500X = 250(20) 20mg X mL

*Isolate X and solve:500X = 5000 so X = 10mL 500 500

*There are 20mg of dopamine in 10mL of solution, so we will program our IV pump at 10mL/h.

Your patient has an order to receive 800U of heparin per hour by continuous intravenous infusion. If the pharmacy mixes the IV bag to contain a total of 5,000U of heparin in 500mL of D5W, how many mL per hour should the patient receive?

*In order to calculate mL/hour, we need to convert our dosage needed (800U) into its equivalence in mL.

*Set up ratio, and then cross-multiply:5000U = 500mL so 5000X = 500(800) 800U X mL

*Isolate X and solve:5000X = 400,000 so X = 80mL 5000 5000

*There are 800U of heparin in 80mL of solution, so we will program our IV pump at 80mL/h.

Order: 21.7mg of dopamine in 105mL of D5W to be infused at a rate of 9mg/h. Calculate the flow rate in mL/h.

*In order to calculate mL/hour, we need to convert our dosage needed (9mg) into its equivalence in mL.

*Set up ratio, and then cross-multiply:21.7mg = 105mL so 21.7X = 9(105) 9mg X mL

*Isolate X and solve:21.7X = 945 so X = 43.55mL 21.7 21.7

*There are 9mg of dopamine in 43.55mL of solution, so we will program our IV pump at 44mL/h.

Order: Aggrastat at 12.5mg in 250mL to be infused at a rate of 6 mcg/kg/hr in a patient who weighs 100kg. At what flow rate will you set the IV pump?

*For problems that include a weight/mass, do that conversion 1st: 6mcg per kg = 6mcg x 100kg = 600mcg/hr

*Since our ordered dose is in mg, we need to convert mcg to mg: 600mcg ÷ 1000 = 0.6mg/hr

*In order to calculate mL/hour, we need to convert our dosage needed (0.6mg) into its equivalence in mL.

*Set up ratio, and then cross-multiply:12.5mg = 250mL so 12.5X = 0.6(250) 0.6mg X mL

*Isolate X and solve:12.5X = 150 so X = 12mL 12.5 12.5

*There are 0.6mg of Aggrastat in 12mL of solution, so we will program our IV pump at 12mL/h.

A 1000cc solution of D5NS with 20,000U of heparin is infusing at 20mL/h. The IV set delivers 60gtt/mL. How many units of heparin is the patient receiving each hour?

*This is a reverse calculation, as we already know the electronic flow rate (mL/h). We will use our dosage calculation method to work through the problem.

*Set up ratio, and then cross-multiply:20,000U = 1000mL so 1000X = 20(20,000) X U 20mL

*Isolate X and solve:1000X = 400,000 so X = 400U 1000 1000

*There are 400U of heparin in 20mL of solution, which means the patient is receiving 400U of heparin per hour. The drop factor is simply a distracter, and is not used in this problem.

The physician orders an IV infusion of D5W 1000mL to be infused over the next 8 hours. The IV tubing you are using delivers 15gtt/mL. What is the correct rate of flow?

*In order to use the IV Flow Rate Formula, we need to know time in minutes instead of hours, which is the only conversion we will need to do to solve this problem.

*We can eliminate the extra steps of a time conversion by incorporating it into our formula: 1000mL x 15gtt/mL = 15,000 = 31.25 8 h x 60 min 480

*Remember our “mL” labels are cancelled out during the calculation process, and we must round all flow rates, leaving us with 31gtt/min as the correct rate of flow.

Your patient has an order to infuse 10mEq of KCl in 100mL of D5½NS over the next 30 minutes. The set calibration is 10gtt/mL. What is the correct rate of flow?

*We will be using the IV Flow Rate Formula, and no conversion calculation is needed: 100mL x 10gtt/mL = 1000 ÷ 30 = 33.33 30 min

*The correct rate of flow is 33gtt/min.*Do not be confused by extra numbers, such as are used

in the name of a solution (i.e. D5W or ½NS). These have no bearing on your dosage calculation.

*Be careful in determining which value(s) are pertinent in solving your problem. In this example, the 10mEq of KCl is not a necessary component in terms of calculating the correct rate of flow, so ignore it!

The 0900 medications scheduled for your patient include Keflex 1.5g in 50mL of a 5% dextrose solution. According to the pharmacy, this preparation should be administered in 30 minutes. The IV tubing on your unit delivers 15gtt/mL. What is the correct rate of flow in gtt/min?

*We will be using the IV Flow Rate Formula, and no conversion calculation is needed: 50mL x 15gtt/mL = 750 ÷ 30 = 25 30 min

*The correct rate of flow is 25gtt/min.*Again, remember the 5% dextrose is just describing

the type of solution, and the Keflex 1.5g does not have anything to do with calculating the flow rate for this problem.

On Wednesday afternoon, your patient returns from surgery with an IV fluid order for 1000mL every 8 hours. On Thursday morning at 0800, you note that 600mL of a 1L bag has been infused. The physician orders the remainder of the bag to infuse over the next 6 hours. The IV tubing used by your unit delivers 10gtt/mL. What is the correct rate of flow?

*There are 400mL remaining in the IV bag, which needs to be infused in 6 hours.

*We need to know time in minutes instead of hours, which can be incorporated into our IV Flow Rate Formula calculation: 400mL x 10gtt/mL = 4000 ÷ 360 = 11.11 6 h x 60 min

*The correct rate of flow is 11gtt/min.

The physician orders 1.5L of Lactated Ringers solution to be administered intravenously to your patient over the next 12 hours. Calculate the rate of flow if the IV tubing delivers 20gtt/mL.

*In order to utilize the IV Flow Rate Formula, we must convert liters to milliliters and hours to minutes, both of which can be completed as part of the formula calculation: (1.5L x 1000) x 20gtt/mL = 30,000 ÷ 720 = 41.67

12 h x 60 min

*The correct rate of flow is 42gtt/min.

MiscellaneousDosag

e Calculations

#1: The physician orders 200mg of Rocephin to be taken by a 15.4 lb infant every 8 hours. The medication label shows that 75-150 mg/kg/day is the appropriate dosage range for this medication. Is the order within the desired range?

Convert weight (lbs to kg):15.4 lbs ÷ 2.2 = 7kg

Calculate minimum and maximum dosage:

75mg x 7kg = 525mg(minimum daily therapeutic dose)

150mg x 7kg = 1050mg(maximum daily therapeutic dose)

Determine if the order is within range:200mg every 8 hours (or 200mg x 3

times per day) = 600mgSolve the problem:

Yes, 600mg/day of Rocephin is within the desired daily range of 525mg and 1050mg for this patient.

#2: Solumedrol 1.5mg/kg is ordered for a child weighing 34 kg. This medication is available as 125mg/2mL. How many mL will you administer?

Calculate mg according to weight:1.5mg/kg x 34 kg = 51mg

Convert mg to mL using your chosen dosage calculation method:

125mg = 2mL so 125X = 51(2) 51 mg X mL

125X = 102 so X = .82mL 125 125

Solve the problem:You will administer 0.82mL of

Solumedrol to this patient.

#3: You are to infuse 800mL of Lactated Ringers over 20 hours using an IV administration set that delivers

20gtt/mL. What is the drip rate?

Solve using the IV Flow Rate Formula:

800mL x 20gtt/mL = 16,000gtt = 13gtt/min

20 h x 60 min 1200 min

Calculate the mL/h of the following orders via IV pump:

#4. Administer 1500mL of 0.9 NS in 24 hours.

#5. Administer 750mL of LR in 16 hours.

#6. Administer 500mL of D5W in 12 hours.

#7. Administer 2000mL of D5W in 24 hours.

Solve the previous calculations using the Electronic Flow Rate Formula:

1500mL ÷ 24 hours = 63mL/h



2000mL ÷ 24 hours = 83mL/h

#8 Order: Administer 30mL of Ancef in 0.9 NS over 20 minutes via intravenous infusion pump.

Convert minutes to hours:

20 minutes = X hours so 60X = 20(1)60 minutes 1 hour

60X = 20 so X = 0.33∞ hours 60 60

Solve using the Electronic Flow Rate Formula:

30mL ÷ 0.33∞ hours = 90mL/h

#9 Order: Administer 100mL of ½NS in 45 minutes.



60X = 45 so X = 0.75 hours 60 60


100mL ÷ 0.75 hours = 133mL/h

#10 Order: Administer 150mL of D5W in 30 minutes.



60X = 30 so X = 0.5 hours 60 60


150mL ÷ 0.5 hours = 300mL/h

#11 Your patient is to receive 2000mL of D5W with a flow rate of 160mL/h. How long will this order take to infuse?

Solve using your chosen dosage calculation formula:

2000mL = X hours so 160X = 2000(1)160mL 1 hour

160X = 2000 so X = 12.5 hours 160 160

*It will take 12 ½ hours to infuse 2000mL of D5W to your patient under this order.

#12 Your patient has been prescribed 1L of NS. The IV pump is set at 150mL/h. How long will this order take to infuse?


1L x 1000 = 1000mL

1000mL = X hours so 150X = 1000(1) 150mL 1 hour

150X = 1000 so X = 6.7 hours 150 150

*It will take just under 7 hours to infuse 1000mL of NS to your patient under this order.

#13 The physician orders D5W IV at 125mL/h. The infusion set is calibrated for a drop factor of 10gtt/mL. Calculate the IV flow rate in gtt/min.


125mL x 10gtt/mL = 1250gtt = 21gtt/min

1 h x 60 min 60 min

#14 Order: 150mL Lactated Ringers solution to infuse in 30 minutes. The drop factor is 15gtt/mL.


150mL x 15gtt/mL = 75gtt/min 30 min

#15 Order: Cefazolin 0.5g in 100mL D5W IV piggyback to run over 30 minutes. The drop factor is 20gtt/mL. What is the drip rate?



#16 Order: Ampicillan 500mg IV in 100mL of NS to infuse over 45 minutes. How will you program the infusion pump?



60X = 45 so X = 0.75 hours 60 60


100mL ÷ 0.75 hours = 133mL/h

#17 Order: Bactrim 500mg IV in 50mL D5½NS in 30 minutes by IV pump. What is the mL/h?



60X = 30 so X = 0.5 hours 60 60


50mL ÷ 0.5 hours = 100mL/h

#18 Order: NS 1800mL IV to infuse in 15 hours by infusion pump. Calculate the flow rate.


1800mL ÷ 15 hours = 120mL/h

#19 You receive a physician’s order for D5W 250mL IV over the next 2 hours by infusion pump. What is the mL/h?



#20 You receive an order for D5W 500mL with heparin 25,000U IV at 850U per hour. Calculate the flow rate in mL/h.

Convert U/h to mL/h to solve this problem:

25,000U = 500mL so 25,000X = 850(500)

850U X mL

25,000X = 425,000 so X = 17mL/h 25,000 25,000

*The flow rate is 17mL/h.

#21 You receive an order for D5W 1000mL IV to infuse at 50mL/h to begin at 0600. At what time will this IV be complete?


1000mL = X hours so 50X = 1000(1) 50mL 1 hour

50X = 1000 so X = 20 hours 50 50

*This IV will be complete at 0200 the following morning.

#22 You receive an order for LR solution 1000mL IV to run at 125mL/h. How

long will this IV last?


1000mL = X hours so 125X = 1000(1)125mL 1 hour

125X = 1000 so X = 8 hours 125 125

*This IV will last for 8 hours.

#23 Order: Dobutamine 250mg in 250mL D5W per IV to infuse at 5mcg/kg/min. The client’s weight is 80 kg. Calculate the flow rate using an infusion pump.

Calculate mcg according to weight:5mcg/kg x 80 kg = 400mcg/min

Convert mcg/min to mg/min:400mcg ÷ 1000 = 0.4mg/min

Convert mg/min to mg/hour:0.4mg x 60 minutes = 24mg/h

Convert mg to mL based on dosage on hand:

250mg = 250mL so 250X = 24(250) 24mg X mL

250X = 6000 so X = 24mL 250 250


24mL/h via IV pump

#24 Order: Lidocaine 2g in 500mL D5W IV to run at 4 mg/min. What is the flow rate per IV pump?

Convert g to mg:2g x 1000 = 2000mg

Convert mg/min to mL/min based on dosage on hand:

2000mg = 500mL so 2000X = 4(500) 4mg X mL

2000X = 2000 so X = 1mL/min 2000 2000

Convert mL/min to mL/h to solve the problem:

1mL x 60 minutes = 60mL/h

#25 Order: Ancef 1g in 100mL D5W IV piggyback to be infused over 45

minutes. You are using a Microdrip tubing. What is the flow rate in gtt/min?



#26 Order: 50mL Zofran solution IV piggyback to infuse over 30 minutes. The drop factor is 60gtt/mL. What is the flow rate in gtt/min?



#27 Order: 1000mL D5W IV q 24 hours. The drop factor is 60gtt/mL. What is the flow rate in gtt/min?

Convert hours to minutes and solve using the IV Flow Rate Formula:

1000mL x 60gtt/mL = 60,000 = 42gtt/min 24 hours x 60 minutes 1440

#28 A dose strength of gr ¼ of an IV push medication is ordered. The available dosage is 15mg/mL. How many mL will you administer?

Convert gr to mg:1grain = 60mg so 1X = ¼(60)

¼ grain X mg

1X = 15 so X = 15mg 1 1

Solve the problem:15mg = 1mL, so you will administer

1mL.

#29 You have an order for epinephrine to be infused at 30mL/h. The solution available is 2mg of epinephrine in 250mL D5W. Calculate the mcg/min.

Convert mL/h to mg/h based on dosage on hand:

2mg = 250mL so 250X = 2(30) X mg 30mL

250X = 60 so X = 0.24mg/h 250 250

Convert mg/h to mcg/h:0.24mg x 1000 = 240mcg/h

Convert mcg/h to mcg/min to solve the problem:

240mcg ÷ 60 minutes = 4mcg/min

#30 Aminophyline 0.25g is added to 500mL D5W to infuse in 8 hours. Calculate the mg/h.

Use the Electronic Flow Rate Formula to determine mL/h:

500mL ÷ 8h = 62.5mL/h

Convert mL/h to g/h based on dosage on hand:

0.25g = 500mL so 500X = 0.25(62.5)

X g 62.5mL

500X = 15.6 so X = 0.03g/h 500 500

Convert g/h to mg/h to solve the problem:

0.03g x 1000 = 30mg/h

#31 You receive an order to infuse 500mL ½NS with 30,000U heparin at 600U/h. The drop factor is 60gtt/mL. What is the gtt/min?

Convert U/h to mL/h per on dosage on hand:

30,000U = 500mL so 30,000X = 500(600) 600U X mL

30,000X = 300,000 so X = 10mL/h 30,000 30,000

Convert hours to minutes and solve using the IV Flow Rate Formula:

10mL x 60gtt/mL = 10gtt/min 1 hour x 60 minutes

#32 A patient is to receive Pitocin at 15microgtt/min. The solution

contains 10U Pitocin in 1000mL D5W. Calculate the number of units of Pitocin the patient is receiving per hour.

Convert mgtt/min to mgtt/h:15mgtt x 60 minutes = 900mgtt/h

Convert mgtt/h to mL/h (*remember Microdrip tubing delivers 60 drops in 1mL):

60mgtt = 1mL so 60X = 900(1) 900mgtt X mL

60X = 900 so X = 15mL/h 60 60

*Continued on next slide

Convert mL/h to U/h:10U = 1000mL so 1000X = 10(15) X U 15mL

1000X = 150 so X = 0.15U 1000 1000

Solve the problem:The patient is receiving 0.15U/hour of Pitocin.

#33 You have an order for 3 mcg/kg/min of Nipride. You have available 50mg of

Nipride in 250mL D5W. The client’s weight is 60 kg. Calculate the flow rate in mL/h that will deliver the correct dose.

Calculate mcg according to weight:3mcg/kg x 60 kg = 180mcg/min

Convert mcg/min to mg/min:180mcg ÷ 1000 = 0.18mg/min

Convert mg/min to mg/hour:0.18mg x 60 minutes = 10.8mg/h

Convert mg to mL based on dosage on hand:

50mg = 250mL so 50X = 10.8(250) 10.8mg X mL

50X = 2700 so X = 54mL 50 50


54mL/h via IV pump

#34 A 50mg nitroglycerin drip in 250mL D5W is infusing at 3mL/h. Calculate the mcg/min of nitroglycerin this patient is receiving.

Convert mL/h to mg/h based on dosage on hand:

50mg = 250mL so 250X = 50(3) X mg 3mL

250X = 150 so X = 0.6mg/h 250 250

Convert mg/h to mcg/h:0.6mg x 1000 = 600mcg/h

Convert mcg/h to mcg/min to solve the problem:

600mcg ÷ 60 minutes = 10mcg/min

#35 A dose strength of 0.3g of a medication has been ordered to infuse over 20 minutes. The available dosage is 0.4g in 1.5mL of solution. Calculate the mL/h.

Convert g to mL based on dosage on hand:

0.4g = 1.5mL so 0.4X = 0.3(1.5) 0.3g X mL

0.4X = 0.45 so X = 1.125mL 0.4 0.4

Convert minutes to hours:20 minutes = X hours so 60X =

20(1)60 minutes 1 hour

60X = 20 so X = 0.33∞ hours 60 60

Use the Electronic Flow Rate Formula to solve:

1.125mL ÷ 0.33∞ hours = 3mL/h

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IV Dosage Calculations Tutorial.pptx - mccneb.edu