Nursing math problem

RNPOWELL · Mar 22, 2011

you are asking for volume infused not how much medication. therefore. 15gtts/min = 900gtts/hr. convert gtts to ml. and then x 4 = ml/ 4hr

kleahy7916 · Mar 22, 2011

Is the answer 3120 mL's ?

sunnycalifRN · Mar 22, 2011

if you say 15 gtts = 1 ml, so your infusion rate is 1 ml/min

and 4 hrs = 240 minutes

total infused is 240 ml

NPinWCH · Mar 22, 2011

Problem: After infusing for 4 hours with 52mcgtts/mL at 15 gtt/min, what is the total volume infused?

It looks to me that they are using a drip set that delivers 52mcgtts/ml with a rate of 15gtt/min using that set. So if I read that right and you use the normal drip rate calc, which is:

Volume to be infused in cc X Drop factor of IV set

------------------------------------------------------------- = gtts/min

(Time in minutes)

Then fill in what we know using X for the unknown:

X (52)

------- = 15gtt/min

240 min

Figure it as a proportion where you cross multiply and you get:

X(52) = 3600

Then divide by 52 to solve:

X= 69.23 ml

That's if I read the question correctly. Hope that helps.

kleahy7916 · Mar 22, 2011

The instructor said that you have to know that a mcgtt/ml set has 60 drops to be able to figure out the problem. Where does that get put into the equation?

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2011

So does the microdrop set have 60 drops per ml or does is have 52 drops per ml?

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2011

you are asking for volume infused not how much medication. therefore. 15gtts/min = 900gtts/hr. convert gtts to ml. and then x 4 = ml/ 4hr

How do the conversion from gtts to ml? divide 900 by 60?

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2011

I had this problem on my first semester math practical and I can't solve this math problem. If anyone can solve it and show how, I would greatly appreciate it.

Problem: After infusing for 4 hours with 52mcgtts/mL at 15 gtt/min, what is the total volume infused?

This is an excellent nursing math web site

http://www.dosagehelp.com/

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2011

intravenous fluid must be given at a specific rate, neither too fast nor too slow. the specific rate may be measured as ml/hour, l/hour or drops/min. to control or adjust the flow rate only drops per minute are used.

the burette contains a needle or plastic dropper which gives the number of drops per ml (the drop factor). a number of different drop factors are available (determined by the length and diameter of the needle).

common drop factors are:

10 drops/ml (blood set), 15 drops / ml (regular set), 60 drops / ml (microdrop).

to measure the rate we must know:

(a) the number of drops

(b) time in minutes.

the formula for working out flow rates is:

volume (ml) x drop factor (gtts / ml)

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

time (min)

= gtts / min

(flow rate)

then times 4 hours or 240 min

example:

1500 ml iv saline is ordered over 12 hours. using a drop factor of 15 drops / ml, how many drops per minute need to be delivered?

1500 (ml) x 15 (gttss / ml)

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

12 x 60 (gives us total minutes)

= 31 gtts / minute

NPinWCH · Mar 22, 2011

The instructor said that you have to know that a mcgtt/ml set has 60 drops to be able to figure out the problem.

The question is poorly written. Trying to read it, it looks like the set is 52mcgtts/ml. There are some sets that don't deliver 60mcgtts/ml so she really should have included that in the question if that is how she wanted you to figure it.

kleahy7916 · Mar 22, 2011

I agree the question is not written well. The 52mcgtt/ml is what confused me. Me and a few other students were not able to start clinicals because we did not answer this question right. This was on our math practical. I wanted to see if anyone else can solve this problem.

Thanks for the help :)