Questions and Answers
What are nurses responsible for in relation to IV fluids?
Administering IV fluids at the proper rate.
What should you do if a rate isn't specified for an IV piggyback infusion?
Check a drug manual, consult the pharmacist, or check another resource for information about a safe infusion rate.
Using the Formula Method, if the amount of solution is 1,000 mL and the time is 8 hours, the flow rate (X) in mL/hr is ____.
125
Using the Dimensional Analysis Method, if the amount of solution is 1,000 mL and the time is 8 hours, the flow rate (X) in mL/hr is ____.
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Using the Ratio and Proportion Method, if the amount of solution is 1,000 mL and the time is 8 hours, the flow rate (X) in mL/hr is ____.
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What is a macrodrip chamber?
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What is a microdrip?
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If the drip chamber is too full, drops are visible to count.
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If the drip chamber is not full enough, air can enter the IV tubing.
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What formula is used to calculate IV flow rates in drops per minute?
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To calculate the IV flow rate in drops per minute, you need the number of milliliters to be infused, the drop factor in drops per mL, and the ____.
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What maximum percentage of deviation can exist before notifying a healthcare provider?
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If a nurse recalculates the flow rate for IV fluid and finds it should be 162.5 mL/hr, how much fluid was remaining?
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In a prescription for IV fluids, if 1,500 mL has to infuse over 10 hours and there is 700 mL left after 6 hours, the nurse recalculates the flow rate to ____ gtt/min.
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To calculate the drop rate given a flow rate of 250 mL/hr with a drop factor constant of 4, the total drop rate is ____ gtt/min.
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If the original flow rate of a medication was 15 gtt/min and the recalculated rate is now 10 gtt/min, the percent variation is ____%.
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Study Notes
IV Fluid Administration and Responsibilities
- Nurses must adhere to recommended IV infusion rates for medications; deviations can be perilous.
- Use drug manuals or consult pharmacists for safe infusion rates if not specified.
IV Flow Rate Calculation Methods
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Formula Method:
- Formula: X mL/hr = Amount of solution / Time in hours.
- Example: For 1000 mL over 8 hours, flow rate is 125 mL/hr.
-
Dimensional Analysis Method:
- Structure the equation based on the desired output (X mL/hr) against known values.
- Example: For 750 mL over 5 hours, X = 150 mL/hr.
-
Ratio and Proportion Method:
- Establish a proportion between the volume and time.
- Example: For 1000 mL over 8 hours, setting up the proportion gives X = 125 mL/hr.
Drip Types and Their Characteristics
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Macrodrip:
- Features a wider tube and delivers larger drops (10, 15, 20 gtt/mL).
- Ideal for large volume or rapid fluid administration.
-
Microdrip:
- Has a narrow tube for smaller drops (60 gtt/mL).
- Used for precise infusions; must not be more than half full.
Drip Chamber Considerations
- Full drip chambers may obscure drop counting, complicating flow rate monitoring.
- Partially full chambers risk air entering the IV line, potentially causing serious complications.
Calculating IV Flow Rates (gtt/min)
- Essential formulas for calculating IV flow rates:
- Formula Method: X gtt/min = Amount of solution × drop factor / Time in minutes.
- Dimensional Analysis: Combine known factors to solve for X gtt/min.
Drop Factor Constants
- Standard drop factors for IV tubing include:
- 60 gtt/mL for microdrip
- 20 gtt/mL for macrodrip
- 15 gtt/mL and 10 gtt/mL are also common.
Important Details for IV Calculations
- Required information includes total mL to be infused, drop factors, and time intervals for infusion.
- Maximum allowed percentage variation for recalculating rates before notifying a provider is 25%.
Practical Calculation Examples
- Remaining fluid calculations: After beginning an infusion, if 650 mL is left of an original 1200 mL over 6 hours, recalculate flow as 162.5 mL/hr.
- For a prescribed 1500 mL over 10 hours with drop factor 20, the recalculated flow rate after partial infusion can lead to a required drop rate of 58 gtt/min.
Percent Variation in Infusion Rates
- To find the variation, subtract the new rate from the original, then compute the percent based on the original rate.
- Example: If the original flow was 15 gtt/min and was recalculated to 10 gtt/min, the variation is 33%.
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Description
Test your knowledge on IV flow rate calculations with these flashcards. Learn the proper administration techniques and formulas essential for nursing practice. Each card presents vital information needed for safe IV medication delivery.
