SVG COMMUNITY COLLEGE

DIVISION OF NURSING EDUCATION

COURSE: PHARMACOLOGY

UNIT 2: DOSAGE CALCULATIONS

TOPIC: CALCULATING IV FLUID VOLUME AND RATE

CLASS: RN Students
TOTAL: 88
VENUE: Division of Nursing Education
DATE: 20.9.16
TIME: 1.5 hours

SCIENTIFIC
PRINCIPLE: IV fluid volume and rate must be calculated and monitored in order to allow for adequate
hydration and to prevent over-hydration.

LEARNING
THEORIES: Law of Exercise, repetition, reinforcement.

TEACHING
METHODS: Problem based learning.

EVALUATION: Quizz.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:

1. State the formula for calculation of IV fluid volume and rate.

2. Calculate IV fluid volume and rate based on real life examples.

STATE THE FORMULA FOR CALCULATION OF IV FLUID VOLUME AND RATE

a. Hourly volume = Total volume (mls)

Total time (hrs)

b. Drip rate= Total volume (mls) x drip factor

Total time (hrs) x time in seconds

NB:

1. The drip factor is either 10 gtts/min, 15gtts/min or 20 gtts/min in adults.

2. Look on the package of the IV tubing/giving set for the drip factor it is always
labeled.
3. The drip factor in children is always 60gtts/min using the pediatrol giving sets.

1
 IV GIVING SET - CHILD

IV GIVING SET - ADULT

2. CALCULATE IV FLUID VOLUME AND RATE BASED ON REAL LIFE EXAMPLES.

HOURLY VOLUME

Hourly volume = Total volume (mls)

Total time (hrs)

PROBLEM SOLUTION ANSWER

125 mls/hour 125mls/1 hour 125 mls/hour
1500 mls in 8 hours 1500mls/8hours 188 mls/hour
Convert 3L to mls (L to
3L in 24 hours S) 125 mls/hour

1L = 1000 mls

3L x 1000 = 3000 mls

3000mls/24 hours =
Convert 1L to mls (L to
1L in 8 hours S) 125 mls/hour

1L = 1000 mls

1L x 1000 = 1000 mls

1000mls/8 hours =

DRIP RATE - ADULT

Drip rate= Total volume (mls) x drip factor

Total time (hrs) x time in seconds
2
 PROBLEM SOLUTION ANSWER
Order - 125 125mls/1 hour x
mls/hour when the 10gtts/60secs 20 gtts/min
drip factor is 10 gtts

Order - 125 125mls/1 hour x 42gtts/min

mls/hour when the 20gtts/60secs
drip factor is 20 gtts

1500 mls in 8 hours 1500mls/8hours x 47gtts/min

when the drip factor 15gtts/60secs
is 15 gtts

Convert 3L to mls (L to
3L in 24 hours when S) 42gtts/min
the drip factor is 20
gtts 1L = 1000 mls

3L x 1000 = 3000 mls

3000mls/24hours x
20gtts/60secs

DRIP RATE - PAEDIATRICS

Drip rate= Total volume (mls) x drip factor

Total time (hrs) x time in seconds

DRIP FACTOR IS ALWAYS 60 GTTS. PEDIATROL MUST BE USED

PROBLEM SOLUTION ANSWER

Order 100mls/hour 100mls/1 hour x

60gtts/60secs 100 gtts/min

Order - 75 mls/hour 75mls/1 hour x 75gtts/min

60gtts/60secs