Another IV Question

Diary/Dairy, RN · May 6, 2008

set it up

it;s simple

150ml/1 X 1min/30 gtt

There ya go - if you set up problems algebraically, it's easy.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · May 6, 2008

at 1130 hrs, your patient has 150ml left in iv bag. it is infusing at 30gtt/min. drop factor is 15 gtts/min.

30 gtts/minute

(dose being given)

x 1 ml/15 gtts

(drop factor of iv tubing)

= 2 ml/minute

(flow rate in minutes), or

2ml/minute x 60 minutes/hour

(conversion factor)

= 120 ml/hour

(flow rate in hours)

do you have enough iv solution left to go to 30 min lunch w/out changing iv bag?

1130 hours + 30 minutes = 1 hour

150 ml fluid left in bag - 120 ml = 30 ml will be left in iv bag after one hour at noon.

answer:

yes

, you can go to lunch without changing the iv bag.

the iv bag will need to be changed in how many minutes?

150 ml

(amount to be infused)

x 1 minute/2 ml

(flow rate)

=

75 minutes

(time to infuse), or

15 minutes after getting back from lunch

.

Music in My Heart · May 8, 2008

At 1130 hrs, your patient has 150ml left in IV Bag. It is infusing at 30gtt/min. Drop factor is 15 gtt/min. Do you have enogh IV solution left to go to 30 min lunch w/out changing IV bag?
The Iv bag will need to be changed in how many minutes?
I am not sure what formula I need to use for this since the GTT is 15 and 30. This question really confused me. Thanks.

I don't know if this is a paper-to-keyboard transcription error or if it's wrong in your notes or you just hit the wrong key but... be clear that the drop factor should be in gtt/mL, not gtt/min as you typed. You probably recall that it's the factor that tells us how large are the drops --- big number, tiny drops and vice-versa.