Nursing math problem

[kleahy7916]

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?

[sweetnepenthe]

Did they mean to write 52 mcgtts/min with 15 gtts/ml?

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

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 :)

You and the others need to appeal the no-start ruling. The question is confusing, as evinced here by the fact that several practicing nurses have come up with different answers.

BTW, did she ever tell you the right answer? I would like to know. And I think a real teacher would teach you, especially since your clinicals are delayed! Has she just left you to struggle alone and not taught you the way to solve this problem? That would be not the right approach.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

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

esme, can you demonstrate how to use this information that you have provided to solve the problem op asks? frankly, i am lost. thank you.