Published May 15, 2012
Chelsi8907
3 Posts
I am in the lvn to rn program and we have to take a math test where we must score a 100 there was only one question i was confused about....Okay here is the question that I need help with....Ordered 300mg/50ml to be given over 20 minsAvailable 300mg/50ml (10gtts/min tubing)How gtts/min would u give ?*
JustBeachyNurse, LPN
13,957 Posts
So how would you set your problem? Show your work and I/we will be happy to guide you to the correct answer I think your tubing units are incorrect, as shouldn't it be 10 gtts/mL?
Usually the dose is written as "give 300mg IV soln. Over 20 minutes" but the way you have 300mg/50mL over 20 min will work too.
I was thinking that it was a typo also that's t I am so lost... I did the problem as 50mls x 10gtts/20 mins and got 25gtts/min It's just the problem saying 10 gtts/min available and. Then asking how many gtts/min through me off
300 mg/ 50 mL = 50 mL to infuse over a 20 minute period. So 50mL/20min x 10 gtt/ mL. The mL 'cancel out', so 25 gtt/min would be right since you want to infuse 2.5mL/minute. (50mL / 20 min = 2.5 mL/ min). What do they say the answer is and them we can figure out if there is a typo. But If you clarify with your instructor you'll find that the drip rate marked in the IV tubing is drops (gtts) per mL not drops (gtts) per minute. Macrodrip sets are 10gtt/mL or sometimes 15gtts/mL and Macrodrip sets are 60gtts/mL)
The reason you need gtts/min is if you have a power outage or your pump fails you need to be able to set your IV infusion at the correct rate, also so that you can double check that the infusion is running at the correct rate by counting the drops over a minute.
I have not got the grade back yet I just took the test yesterday and I will find out tomorrow at 5 ish