Question

The physician has ordered 1 L normal saline (NS) to infuse in 8 hours. What would the nurse set the pump on ?

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Answer 1

Reference form the question:

Total volume= 1000 ml (1 litre)

Time= 8 hours= 480 minutes (8 hours x 60 minutes)

Drop factor=?

For an adult (macrodrip Intravenous infusion set) drop factor would be 15 gtt (1 ml = 15 drops)

Formula:

Volume (mL) Time (min)

x Drop Factor (gtts/mL)  = Y (Flow Rate in gtts/min)

= 1000 ml x 15 gtt

= 15000 gtt

= 15000 gtts /480 minutes

= 31.25 drops / mins

For the paediatrics (micro Intravenous infusion set) drop factor would be 60 gtt (1 ml =60 drops)

Reference form the question:

Total volume= 1000 ml (1 litre)

Time= 8 hours= 480 minutes (8 hours x 60 minutes)

Drop factor=?

= 1000 ml x 60 gtt

= 60000 gtt

= 60000 gtts /480 minutes

= 125 drops / mins

Please check the drop factor before use of macrodrip tunings.