Dosage Calculations IV question.

[tishalu]

Hey guys,

I have this question, feel like i am not doing it right. Please correct me if i am wrong. Thanks.

A heparin solution with a strength of 40,000 units per 1000 mL of D5W is ordered to infuse at a rate of 1500 units / h. A 20 gtt/mL set is used. Calculate the mL/h flow rate and the gtts/min.

This is how I am solving it:-

Using the Formula Method

Flow Rate (mL/h) = D (Units/h) x Q (mL on Hand) H (Units on Hand)

=1,500 units/h x 1,000 mL= 1,500,000 = 37.5 = 38 mL/h

40,000 units 40,000

Drop Factor Constant = mL/h = gtt

drop factor constant min

=38/20 = 1.9 = 2

R (gtt/min) = R (mL/h)

drop factor constant = 38 mL/h /2 = 19 gtt/min

I appreciate all your answers. Thanks.

[NICUismylife, ADN, BSN, RN]

You're correct at first. It is 37.5 mL/hr (usually you round to nearest tenth).

But for gtt rate, you divide by 60 mins/hr to get mL per min (37.5/60 = 0.625 mL/min), then multiply by gtts per min (0.625 x 20 gtts/min) for a drip rate of 13 gtts/min

[tishalu]

You're correct at first. It is 37.5 mL/hr (usually you round to nearest tenth).

But for gtt rate, you divide by 60 mins/hr to get mL per min (37.5/60 = 0.625 mL/min), then multiply by gtts per min (0.625 x 20 gtts/min) for a drip rate of 13 gtts/min

Thanks so much.