IV Calculations w/ mEq

[janesnow]

Doctor's order: N/S at 250mL/hr with 20mEQ KCl/L

Available: Vial contains 20mEQ KCL/5mL

Tubing factor: 10

1. 1. What is the drip rate?
   
   
2. 2. How much medication will you add to the primary bag?
   
   

[chare]

Why don't you show is what you have done so far? This will allow is to see where you might be having difficulty, and better allow is to assist

you.

I will say this. Even though you're using mEq for dosing units, it is calculated in the same method that you would use for mg, g, or other dosing units.

[janesnow]

I'm lost actually.

volume X gtt factor = gtt/min

time

But how do I factor in the mEq?

250ml x 10gtt = 41.6 = 42gtt/min?

60min

Hang 1000mL bag over 4 hrs?

1000 = 250

4

so do I need to do 20 = 5 ?

4

See... I'm just lost, I'll be up all night.

[nursej22, MSN, RN]

Your original post is missing the volume of your primary IV bag, but I am assuming it is 1 liter.

Or this is one of those unrealistic nursing school math problems.

So if you need 20 mEq of KCl in a liter, and it comes 20 mEq / 5 mL, then you would add ...?

Otherwise, your gtt rate looks good.

[janesnow]

I worked it out, just needed that assurance I think!

It's gotta be: 250 x 10 divided by 60min = 42gtt/min --> add 5ml to bag, run for 4hrs

Thank you for your help!

[bjwojcik]

I think it is easier to set the problem up like this without relying on a formula. This method allows you to check your work before doing any calculations.

You are starting with 250 mL/h and need to end up with gtts/min. You have to change mL to gtts and h to min.

250 mL/h (10 gtts/mL)(1 h/60 min) = 42 gtts/min

Brad Wojcik, PharmD