IV calculation Help

chare · Jan 10, 2018

Why don't you show us what you have done so far? This will let us see what you've done and where yoy might be having difficulty. This will better allow us to help you.

bjfr · Jan 10, 2018

Thank you for responding! I am actually at a complete loss on this one.

I calculated 500 mL over 30 min and got 16.7 mL/min but that would be an infusion of all 500 mL in 30 minutes. I'm not sure how to factor in the 100 mL/Hr thereafter.

I have spent a lot of time on this problem and know the solution is right in front of me but I stumped.

If you could point out any factor that I may be overlooking, I would appreciate it.

chare · Jan 10, 2018

First, you need to determine what you are being asked. Then you need to identify what of the information you have been provided that you actually need, and what is there to distract you.

You are being asked to calculate when the infusion you are starting will finish. Of the information you've been provided, what do you need? And what is there to distract you?

bjfr · Jan 10, 2018

I know I need the starting time, 500 ml over 30 minutes, and then to set the IV to 100 mL/hr thereafter to determine the amount of time it will take to complete the infusion.

The 15 drops per mL i believe is the distractor. Unless, I need it to calculate for the first 30 minutes on infusion where I get 250 ml over 30 minutes leaving the balance of 250 ml to be infused at 100 mL/hr. Therefore the total infusion time would be 3.5 hours. I don't think that's right.

I hope I am making sense!!

Thank you again for your help!

chare · Jan 10, 2018

Yes, the drop factor is a distractor.

Is your fluid challenge 250 mL or 500 mL?

What size IV bag are you using?

ETA: 3.5 hours would not be correct for a 250 mL fluid challenge, using a 500 mL bag.

bjfr · Jan 10, 2018

Thank you!

The fluid challenge is 500 mL over 30 min then set the pump for 100 ml/hr.

The problem doesn't state the total volume for the IV. Just the starting time of 10 a.m.

This is why I am so lost in this problem. Am I reading the problem incorrectly?

chare · Jan 10, 2018

Thank you!
The fluid challenge is 500 mL over 30 min then set the pump for 100 ml/hr.
The problem doesn't state the total volume for the IV. Just the starting time of 10 a.m.
This is why I am so lost in this problem. Am I reading the problem incorrectly?

No, you're not, you should have been provided the IV bag size. My thought, since you are to begin with a 500 mL fluid challenge, is that you are using a 1 L bag.

If you were using a 1L bag, what would the total infusion time be?

bjfr · Jan 10, 2018

5.5 hours. Starting time 10 a.m. Completion time 3:30 p.m.

If i had 1,000 ml bag, the 1st 500 mL would infuse in 30 minutes then the order states to set the IV for 100 mL/Hr. The remaining fluid would take 5 hours to infuse.

bjfr · Jan 10, 2018

Thank you so much chare for taking the time to help me with this!!! I have come across several problems that seem to be missing pertinent information and thought I was misinterpreting the questions. Unfortunately I spend too much time on these problems and become frustrated which leads to second guessing on all my answers.