Stumped on a gtt ml/hr math question

[I see you RN]

Usually I can figure out the math questions intuitively but this one got me. If someone with a better brain than I could explain the formulas, I would greatly appreciate it.

1000 mL with 40 mEq KCL infusing at 36 gtt/min.

Drip factor of 15 gtt/mL

How many mL per hour are infusing?

How many mEq KCL is the patient receiving per hour?

[sh1901]

I don't know if this is correct, but I gave it a shot and look forward to being educated if I am wrong.

So, I got 144ml per hour and 5.76 mEq per hour.

I'm having trouble posting my math...it won't copy over!!!!

[*ac*]

Usually I can figure out the math questions intuitively but this one got me. If someone with a better brain than I could explain the formulas, I would greatly appreciate it.

1000 mL with 40 mEq KCL infusing at 36 gtt/min.

Drip factor of 15 gtt/mL

How many mL per hour are infusing?

How many mEq KCL is the patient receiving per hour?

If there's 15 drops in an ml, and 36 drops per minute, divide 36 by 15 = 2.4 ml per minute. Times 60 minutes = 144 ml/hr.

40 mEq of K divided by 1000 ml = .04 mEq per ml. Since there's 144ml/hr, multiply .04 times 144 = 5.76 mEq per hr.

[sh1901]

Yay! That's how I did it....too tired to think of just typing out the words....kept trying to copy & past my work.

thanks!!