Dosage Problem--Help me find solution!

flightnurse2b, LPN · Jan 21, 2009

Hello all, Can you help me with this problem? I think I am reading too much into it, and it might be easier than I am thinking it is...
500ml of a solution was ordered at 35ml/hr. You have a 60 gtts/ml administration set available. What would you administer?
VTBI
____
Time(mins) X gtt factor= ?
So..
500ml
_____ X 60 =
?????
I know it says 35ml/hr, but that is throwing me off! Someone help, and hopefully tell me I am on the right track!
Thanks in advance.

i hate problems like that, lol. sometimes they give you a drip factor just to throw you off. either way, i got 35.

are you running it on a pump? if yes, then 35 ml/hr. pumps are always ml/hr.

if you want drip factor, then you have to read into it further...

500ml / 857 mins (500/35 = 14 hrs x 60 = 857 mins) x 60 = 35 gtt/min

i hope this helps. :)

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2009

500ml of a solution was ordered at 35ml/hr. you have a 60 gtts/ml administration set available. what would you administer?

you will administer 35 ml/hour. that is what the doctor ordered. using a 60gtt/ml set (that is microdrip tubing) your drip rate will be

35 ml/hour

(infusion rate)

x 60 gtts/ml

(drop factor of iv tubing)

x 1 hour/60 minutes

(conversion factor)

=

35 gtts/minute

(drip rate)

something you should notice with microdrip tubing. . .when you know the ml/hour the drip rate will always be the same as the ml/hour. this is always true when you are using microdrip tubing that has a drop factor of 60 gtts/ml--always.

the 35 ml/hour = 35 gtts/minute -

with microdrip tubing

CRIMSON · Jan 22, 2009

I also get 35gtt/min. We are required to do dimensional analysis, so here it is:

gtt/min = 60gtt/1ml x 35ml/1hr x 1hr/60min = 2100/60 =35gtt/min

It is often a pain but we have to do all calculations in this form and make 90 or above (1-2 problems) on all DA tests or out of program.