Question

Calculate the IV flow rate in $\mathrm{gtt}/\min$ for the following IV administrations, unless another unit of measure is stated. Infuse vancomycin $1\mathrm{g}$ IVPB in $150\mathrm{mL}$ D5W in $1.5\mathrm{hr}$. Drop factor: $60\mathrm{gtt}/\mathrm{mL}$

Short answer

The IV flow rate is 100 gtt/min.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Given Information

First, extract and list all the given values from the problem statement. - Volume to be infused: 150 mL - Time for infusion: 1.5 hours - Drop factor: 60 gtt/mL.

Convert Time to Minutes

Convert the infusion time from hours to minutes because the flow rate will be calculated in gtt/min.1.5 hours is equivalent to 90 minutes, since 1 hour equals 60 minutes, hence: $$1.5\text{ hours}\times 60\frac{\text{minutes}}{\text{hour}}=90\text{ minutes}$$.

Calculate the Flow Rate

Use the formula for IV flow rate to find the rate in gtt/min. The formula is:$$\text{Flow rate in gtt/min}=\frac{\text{Total volume in mL}\times \text{Drop factor in gtt/mL}}{\text{Total time in minutes}}$$Substitute the values:$$\text{Flow rate}=\frac{150\text{ mL}\times 60\text{ gtt/mL}}{90\text{ minutes}}$$Calculate the expression to find the flow rate.

Solve the Expression

Carry out the calculation:$$\text{Flow rate}=\frac{150\times 60}{90}=100\text{ gtt/min}$$This calculation shows that the IV solution should be infused at a rate of 100 drops per minute.

Key concepts

Understanding IVPB

IV Piggyback, commonly abbreviated as IVPB, is a popular method of administrating medication in healthcare settings. It involves connecting a secondary IV medication, such as an antibiotic, to the primary IV solution.
The IVPB setup allows for the secondary medication to drip into the primary line and into the patient. This method is efficient, as it doesn't require starting a new IV line for the medication. For instance, in the case of vancomycin mentioned in the problem, it would be administered as an IVPB connected to existing IV fluids like D5W.

• IV Piggyback saves time for healthcare professionals and reduces discomfort for patients.
• It's essential to calculate the flow rate accurately to ensure the proper dosage.

In hospitals, it's crucial to monitor both the primary infusion and the IVPB to prevent any adverse interactions and ensure the appropriate rate.

Explaining Drop Factor

When dealing with intravenous (IV) medications, understanding the drop factor is fundamental. The drop factor, expressed as gtt/mL, refers to the number of drops per milliliter delivered by the IV tubing. Different types of tubing can have different drop factors, and accuracy in this component is imperative for safe medication administration.
For example, the problem specifies a drop factor of 60 gtt/mL. This means for every milliliter of medication, the IV tubing will release 60 drops.

• A higher drop factor means more frequent, smaller drops.
• A lower drop factor results in less frequent, larger drops.

Choosing the proper drop factor helps in ensuring that the medication infuses at the correct rate. It's especially important in settings where precise control over the infusion rate is required, such as in critical care.

Basics of IV Infusion Calculation

Intravenous (IV) infusion is a common method for administering fluids and medications directly into the vein. Calculating the correct infusion rate is essential for ensuring the patient receives the intended dose over the specified period. The primary goal is to determine how many drops per minute (gtt/min) should be administered.
In the given exercise, we need to connect the total volume of liquid to be infused (150 mL) and the time (90 minutes) to the drop factor (60 gtt/mL). The formula for calculating the flow rate is:
$$\text{Flow rate (gtt/min)}=\frac{\text{Total volume (mL)}\times \text{Drop factor (gtt/mL)}}{\text{Total time (minutes)}}$$

• Ensure all units are consistent (e.g., time is in minutes).
• Accurately measure the volume to be infused and the drop factor.

Following this calculation process guarantees that the medication is delivered safely and effectively.