IV Help

[hoping to be an rn]

i know this may sound really stupid but i was wondering when do you use the ml/hr or cc/hr and when do you calculate the drop factor i know how to do it but when it is phrased in an actual hypothetical math question i go blank.

also were any of you really nervous when you did your first iv i almost just want to do one so i can get over the initial apprehension.

Thanks

[Hairstylingnurse]

Yeah we used the dummies and the dummie arm that actually had a real flash(the blood return) we used red kool aid.Then when we were comfortable with the dummie we did it on each other:chair: . Boy I hated that, I had a very obese student to attempt it on and it didn't happen. Even my instructor didn't get it because the student was really fussing. The dummie arm ofcourse had nice firm veins that syuck up beautifully. Too bad most pts. aren't that good:roll .

[Katmae RN]

I appreciate this refresher of iv calculation thanks Angel

Hi there!.As long as you have your IV calculation formula on hand and know how to compute properly, there's no need to worry about.If you're not confident yet, I suggest that you bring some examples or pre calculated standard rate of infusion with you.This is how I do it:

Example:

macrodrip drop factor = 15 (usually for regular adult IV giving set)

microdrip drop factor = 60 ( usually for pediatric )

1.let say you are using the macrodrop formula

Volume to be infused

--------------------

hours of infusion X 15/60

the doctors order is 1 liter IVF for 8 hours

Ex: 1000 ml or cc

------------- = 125 ml or cc/hr (this is the rate you will set in IV pump)

8 hours

then if you want to know how many drops/min:

125 x 15/60 = 31.25 drops per minute or (31)

same computation with microdrop.Hope this helps:)

[lil' girl, LPN]

Aren't you just asking when ml's and when gtt(drops). mL's are in an IV pump and drops per minute would be gravity (no Pump)