Medication Math Problm

[Lauren415Young]

Can someone help me with these 2 questions on finding flow rate (gtt/min)?

1) Infuse 1000 mL 5% X over 4 hours using 20 gtt/mL:

1000mL/240 min * 20 gtt/mL = 83 gtt/min

2) Infuse 500 ml 5% X at 125 mL/hr using 20 gtt/mL:

Not too sure about this one

Thanks for any help!

[203bravo, MSN, APRN]

the rate in gtt/min for 125 ml/hr would be the same regardless of weather a 500 ml bag, 1000 ml bag, or even 125 ml bag was hung.. so the fact that the problem gives you that it was 500 ml is just extra information.

gtt/min = 20 gtt/ml * 125 ml/hr * 1hr/60 min = 42 gtt/min

[TLynn89]

For gtt/min, you set it up like this:

?gtt/min=X gtt/mL x Y mL/hr x 1 hr/60 min = Z gtt/min

The first numerator should always be the unit that you're trying to get to (in this case, drops), the last denominator should be the other unit of measurement (in this case, time-min), and all other units in between should cancel out. Moving from left to right, I always make sure that the denominator from one part is the numerator in the next part or vice versa if that unit is meant to cancel out. That way, once you cancel out everything else, you're left with your original numerator (in this case, gtt) and a final denominator (min here) for the units for your answer. It looks like you already have the idea to multiply across the top, multiply across the bottom, and divide the result for your answer. Looks like homework, so I won't give the answer, but filling in the blanks should get you there :)