What would the IV rate be...?

[nashgirl516]

So, I understand IV math/rates, etc, but this order has me confused. Maybe it's because I am just starting to review IV orders, but it seems to me there's a part missing....

If the order is to give "100mL (of X solution) every 6 hours", would the rate, then, simply be 17mL/hr...? Because it just seems to me that the wording is to give it EVERY 6hrs, not OVER 6hrs, but maybe I'm just looking too far into it. However, if it IS to be given EVERY 6hrs (as written), how would one know at what rate to give it (if it is not included)? I'm assuming 100mL/hr, but I'm not sure if that's really the standard or if I'm just assuming as such since that is what I have mostly seen.

OR maybe I'm just confusing myself because it's late and I've been staring at numbers too long..... any input would be appreciated!

[Mike R, ADN, BSN, RN]

I really think you're just over thinking this. Looks like a TKO sort of thing. It's 17ml/hr. Get some rest!

[JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN]

You are missing the rate. If it is TKO, it should say TKO.

[nashgirl516]

...but if this was all you were given, would you say 17mL/hr...?

[Leafhouse]

You're correct with 17ml/hr. You're over thinking it which is so easy to do with med math. "Every 6 hours" is pretty much the same as "over 6 hours." Just like you, I dont like the wording "every" if it's an IV rate and not referring to a PO med or an injection of some sort.

If you're giving 100ml every 6 hours the rate should be the same per hour so,

100ml/6 hours = 17ml/hr

[bols27]

it seems to me that there is a lot of information missing in this question.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

this part of the medical plan of care is unclear and not to standard as written.

what you would do is call the person who wrote it and ask for clarification thus: "was that a hundred cc per hour for six hours, or seventeen cc per hour for six hours?" the cc/hr should be given for all ivs. although you sometime see, "1l / 8 hours," it should still say, "125cc/hr."

if this is a homework assignment i'd work it out both ways and turn in both of them, with your rationale. that should be a flag to the person writing the lab quizzes that ivs are written differently and get you a kudos for critical thinking (yes, "kudos" is singular) you can tell them i said so .

[nashgirl516]

@GrnTea, you are *right* on.... except that my prof won't listen to the students telling her that she, well, STINKS at writing questions. She says to "work things out according to your best critical thinking and pick one" (answer). It's kinda ridiculous, but she just won't listen to us when we tell her we *can't* (work it out). SO frustrating!

[bols27]

Nashgirl, it sounds like you go to the same school as me lol. Our current instructors are terrible at writing questions but will have none of it if we try to explain why the questions are improper.

[SCSTxRN]

My answer would be: 17 mL/hour unless M.D. specifies a different rate to be administered Q6h.

[nashgirl516]

Thanks everyone... I submitted 17mL/hr... doubt she'll even let us know what she was looking for, but... *shrug* Only two more weeks til Christmas break!! :whoop, whoop!:

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

See...now to me If I saw "100cc of x solution every hours" I would think it was a fliud bolus/piggy back of fluid every six hours. I agree with GnTea it's worded poorly. In the real world, I would call for clarification.