IV problem-please help me understand!

First of all, thanks to everyone who has helped answer my questions (random, at times on here in the past! I don't know what I'd do without this board!

I'm really hung up on IV problems. I can do the basic ones, but these type confuse the dickens out of me:

1. The IV orders indicate fluids of D5 1/2 NS with 20 mEq KCl to run at 125 ml/hour. Your infusion set has a drop factor of 15 gtt/ml. At what rate will the IV be timed?

2. Mr. Shineman is to receive 1000cc D5 1/2NS with 20 MEq KCl over 8 hours. The

KCl vial is labeled 80 MEq / 20 mls. How many ml's of KCl will you need to withdraw?

_____________________________________ mls.

Can anyone tell me how to set these up? I really don't know where to start

It's possible you're getting hung up on the extraneous numbers in the problem.

#1: 125 mL per hour, 15 drops = 1 mL

125 x 15 = 1875 drops per hour, 1875/60 = 31 drops per minute

#2: The KCl solution contains 80mEq in every 20 mL. You need 20mEq - 1/4

the amount in 20mL. 20 mL / 4 = 5mL

Think about what the problem is asking - don't get sidetracked by what the solution is when you're doing these math problems. HTH :)

It's possible you're getting hung up on the extraneous numbers in the problem.

#1: 125 mL per hour, 15 drops = 1 mL

125 x 15 = 1875 drops per hour, 1875/60 = 31 drops per minute

#2: The KCl solution contains 80mEq in every 20 mL. You need 20mEq - 1/4

the amount in 20mL. 20 mL / 4 = 5mL

Think about what the problem is asking - don't get sidetracked by what the solution is when you're doing these math problems. HTH :)

thanks so much, this makes much more sense now!

One more question, as I have absolutely NO experience with IVs in the clinical setting yet at all. For problem number 2, would you just inject the 5 mL of KCL into the IV bag so it all administers together? And if you were putting this on say, a pump, would you plug in 1005 milliliters (the 1000 ml of D5W plus the 5 ml of KCL)?