Question

An IV solution of 260 mL at a drip rate of 5 gtt/min using a tubing factor of 20 gtt/mL has been ordered to be initiated at 0015. Calculate the infusion time. (Round your answer to the nearest tenth of an hour.)

Answer 1

Information available:

• Volume of IV solution - 260 ml
• Tubing rate - 20 gtt/ml
• Drip rate - 5 gtt/min
• Infusion time - ' x '

Formula - drip rate = volume x drip factor / time

Drip factor = tube factor = number of drops that make up 1 ml.

Inserting the values in the formula:

• 5 gtt/min= 260 ml x 20 gtt/ml / x
• X = 260 ml x 20 gtt/ml / 5 gtt/min
• X = 260 x 20 / 5
• X = 260 x 4 = 1040 min ( since 1 hour = 60 mins
• X = 1040 /60 = 17.3 hr

The infusion time is 17 hours