Question

Order: Vancomycin HCl 500 mg in 100 mL D5W IVPB q6h, infuse in 60 min. The instructions state to reconstitute the 500-mg vial with 10 mL of sterile water. (a) How many milliliters must be added to the 100 mL of D5W? (b) Calculate the flow rate in drops per minute; the drop factor 20 gtt/mL..

Answer 1

the medication ordered = Vancomycin 500mg in 100ml D5W over 60 minutes.

a) 500mg vial is diluted with 10ml of sterile water.

After reconstitution, 10ml = 500mg Vancomycin.

So 10 ml has to be added to 100ml D5W

b) Total fluid to be infused = 100ml D5W + 10 ml Vancomycin = 110 ml

Total time taken for the infusion =60 minutes

Drop factor = 20 gtt/ml

The rate of infusion = total volume x drop factor / total time

= 110 x 20/60 = 36.66  

0r 37 drops/ minute