Drips Calcs Info Needed!

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i just started a step down that uses lots of drips. its quite overwhelming. can anyone lead me to web sites that have easy drug calculations? i need some fast training. thank you to all that provided me with the ecg web sites, they have been a great learning tool for me and i hope to find relief with all these complex math challenges. a co worker gave me some allegbra equation today, please......................i'd rather not, must be another way for this kitty to learn. fluffy w/ a flared tail :confused:

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Just a plain old gravity drip calculation?

I use this.

I'll give you an example.

The physician orders the primary gravity IV D5W 500 mL to run over 3 hours. The drop factor is 10, what will the drops per minute be. (gtt)

All you do is take the volume (500) multiplied by the drop factor (10)

Then divide in MINUTES, which would be 180. That's your 3 hours.

So you have 500x10 / 180

Which is equal to 27.7 or 28 gtt/min

Does that help?

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no, all the ccu stuff like dopamine, nipride, stuff i cannot even spell right now w/o looking it up. :monkeydance: fluff

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Specializes in LTAC, Telemetry, Thoracic Surgery, ED.

Same equation....different solution/med...it will all come out the same

total volume x drip factor

------------------------ = gtts/min

total mins to infuse

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Specializes in telemetry, ICU, CCU endocrinology.

if you have a PDA, there is a shareware program called IV Rate Calculator that is great! It can be found at http://www.SpazTheCat.com. It costs $5. You select what drugs you want to add to your list & enter the dosing info - i.e. dobutamine 500mg/250ml. this is stored. all you have to do is select the drug & enter the other info like pt weight.

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Specializes in ICU/CCU, CVICU, Trauma.

Same for all most drips: Figure out your "cal" factor -

Dopamine drip 400mg/250ccNSS - run @ 5mcg/kg/min - pt weighs 80kg

mg

ml / kg x 1000 / 60

400

250 / 80 x 1000 / 60

1.6/80 x1000 / 60

0.02 x 1000 / 60

20/60

0.33 is your cal factor

0.33cc is 1 mcg/kg/min on the IV pump

You can figure it out from there - just multiply

5 mcg/kg/min = 15cc (15 x 0.33 = 4.95)

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Med/Surg.

This may come off like a stupid question, but why would someone need to calculate drip rates if an electric IV pump is being used.? Am I missing something? Does this step down unit not have IV pumps?

Sorry for my ignorance.

Catmom

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Specializes in ICU/CCU, CVICU, Trauma.

Not all IV pumps can calculate dosages - you need to set the rate. Anyway, you should know how to do this. You need to know that the pump is correct. It's a check system. Especially for new nurses. They need to have this knowledge - not just depend on a machine to get it right.

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Also, what if for some reason the power goes out, yeah I know they are plugged into a red outlet, but still.

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Not all IV pumps can calculate dosages - you need to set the rate. Anyway, you should know how to do this. You need to know that the pump is correct. It's a check system. Especially for new nurses. They need to have this knowledge - not just depend on a machine to get it right.

I totally agree with you!

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Med/Surg.

Thanks for the answer! I appreciate your input.

Catmom

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You should buy an EMERGENCY CRITICAL CARE POCKET GUIDE (ACLS version). It has all the common iv drips used in a critical care unit and a ton of other info. I worked in the ER for years and it was great to have. It list the drugs with all its info for quick reference and it fits in your pocket. Do a google search and you will find it.

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