IV Drip Rate Calculations

We all know that the "titrate to effect" works oh so well in the field when treating patients, right? Truth is we may get by with it - but, we could do ourselves and our patients some good by reviewing, practicing and using theses important formulas for IV infusions.

Let's get started with some review

Here are the BIG 3 formulas for calculating IV drips
To calculate an IV drip rate based on the volume of fluid to be infused over time. Drops per minute = Volume to be infused in cc X Drop factor of IV set Time in minutes

To calculate an IV drip rate for a medication that is administered based on a specified dosage to be infused per minute Drops per minute = Dosage per minute to be administered X Drop factor (60) Concentration of medication per ml

Hint: Make sure the unit measurement of the concentration and the dosage are the same.(e.g. both in milligrams) To calculate an IV drip rate for a medication that is administered based on a specified dosage per kilogram of body weight per minute Drops per minute = Desired dosage per minute X Weight in Kg X Drop factor of IV set Concentration of medication per ml

Hint: Make sure the unit measurement of the concentration and the dosage are the same.(e.g. both in milligrams)

Other handy items to review

Convert pounds to kilograms: Divide pounds by 2.2 1 gram = 1000 milligrams 1 milligram = 1000 micrograms

IV Drip Rate Calculations

Calculating IV Drip Rates
To calculate an IV drip rate based on the volume of fluid to be infused over time. Drops per minute = Volume to be infused in cc X Drop factor of IV set (Time in minutes)

To calculate an IV drip rate for a medication that is administered based on a specified dosage to be infused per minute Drops per minute = Dosage per minute to be administered X Drop factor (60) (Concentration of medication per ml)

Hint: Make sure the unit measurement of the concentration and the dosage are the same. i.e. both in milligrams To calculate an IV drip rate for a medication that is administered based on a specified dosage per kilogram of body weight per minute Drops per minute = Desired dosage per minute X Weight in Kg X Drop factor of IV set (Concentration of medication per ml)

Hint: Make sure the unit measurement of the concentration and the dosage are the same. i.e. both in milligrams

Other handy items to review

Convert pounds to kilograms: Divide pounds by 2.2 1 gram = 1000 milligrams 1 milligram = 1000 micrograms

IV Drip Rate Calculations Calculating IV Drip Rates (Continued)

Your treating a known diabetic, the patient is alert and oriented however their CBG reads "high". You start an IV and decide to run a normal saline infusion at 500 cc per hour. How many drops per minute should you set the blood set? 500 (volume to infuse in cc) X 10 (drop factor of set) 60 (time in minutes) 500 X 500 X 500 10 = 1 = 60 6 6

First see if the numbers can be reduced:

Then divide the top by the bottom number : 500 / 6 = 83.3 Round that to 83 and that's the drops per minute for the infusion - 83 gtt/min

Test your knowledge before going on...

After your radio report to the hospital, the ER doctor wants the IV reduced to 300 cc an hour, what's correct the rate? a. b. c. d. 55 gtt/min 50 gtt/min 42 gtt/min 47 gtt/min