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Discussion

IV Question

When the MD orders, for example, continuous IV fluids.....do you guys have to calculate drop factors, drip rates, etc and then regulate the flow? OR do they just order it, for example to run at 75cc/hr and your facility just has the tubing with the regulator dials that you just set to "75"?

(hope this is somewhat clear!)

TIA!

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    • Featured Replies

    Our MDs order (ex) Normal Saline 75 ml/hr and we just program it into our pumps. No need to calculate drip rate or regulate flow. Do people still do that?

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    Flow rate is calculated initially. Flow rate is needed when you need to know what to program a pump to. It is also needed if you don't have a pump and need to calculate gtts per minute using the formula method.

    Flow rate calculation is: Volume to be infused divided by Time in HOURS. (NOT TIME IN MUNUTES) so a 250ml dose of an IVAB to be given over 90 minutes would be 250/1.5.

    Got it?

    One liter over 8 hours is 1000/8....(125cc/hr)

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    We have used pumps for at least 20 years. If the pump breaks, we use a dial-a-flow valve. If we don't have any of those we calculate...ah to be an old nurse and remember the math!

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    I'm a relatively new nurse and know the math! It was imperative, when I passed my clinicals, to set a pump to gravity using only the clamp.

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    When in dout...call the RX...they love to help:-). They have infusion people to answer questions like that when needed.

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    • Author

    Thanks everyone. I am a recent grad so I know how to calculate drops per minute and all that. I had to take an entire class on it! the reason why I was asking is because you don't seem to have to know it! as everyone else mentioned, there are electronic pumps, dial a flow regulators, the pharmacy a phone call away, etc.

    I was wondering if there was anyone out there who was actually doing the math at work!

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