Question

Calculate the IV flow rate in \(\mathrm{gtt} / \mathrm{min}\) for the following IV administrations, unless another unit of measure is stated. An IV is regulated at \(25 \mathrm{gtt} / \mathrm{min}\) (25 macrogtt/min). Drop factor: \(15 \mathrm{gtt} / \mathrm{mL}\) How many milliliters of fluid will the client receive in \(8 \mathrm{hr} ?\)

Short answer

The client will receive 800 mL of fluid in 8 hours.

Step-by-step solution

Determine Total Drops in 8 Hours

First, we need to calculate the total number of drops the client will receive over the 8-hour period. Since the IV flow rate is 25 gtt/min, we multiply this by the number of minutes in 8 hours:\[ \text{Total drops} = 25 \text{ gtt/min} \times 8 \times 60 \text{ min} = 12000 \text { gtt} \]

Convert Drops to Milliliters

Next, we convert the total drops to milliliters using the drop factor. We know that 15 gtt is equivalent to 1 mL, so we divide the total number of drops by the drop factor to find the total volume in milliliters:\[ \text{Total mL} = \frac{12000 \text{ gtt}}{15 \text{ gtt/mL}} = 800 \text{ mL} \]

Key concepts

IV administration

Intravenous administration (commonly referred to as IV administration) is a method of delivering fluids and medications directly into the bloodstream through a vein. This approach allows quick absorption and can be critical in emergencies.
IV administration is often used when oral medication is not an option or when immediate effects are necessary. By bypassing the digestive system, the method ensures that 100% of the medication is bioavailable.
It involves a regulated flow of fluids, which has to be monitored carefully. The regulation of this flow is done through calculations considering the drop factor, flow rate, and required dosage.

drop factor

The drop factor is a crucial term in IV therapy. It refers to the number of drops (gtt) that make up one milliliter (mL) of fluid.
This is essential for calculating the flow rate of the IV. It's given by the equipment or tubing used for the IV, which varies between macrodrops and microdrops.
Macrodrops provide bigger drops, typically facilitating calculations where you have a drop factor of 10, 15, or 20 gtt/mL, as was the case in the exercise where the drop factor is 15 gtt/mL.
Understanding the drop factor helps nurses and healthcare providers accurately measure how much volume the patient receives over time.

milliliters conversion

Converting between different units is a critical step in IV therapy. In this context, converting drops to milliliters is necessary for determining fluid volume given to a patient.
To convert drops to milliliters, we use the drop factor. As per the exercise, every 15 drops of fluid equate to 1 mL.
The conversion is achieved by dividing the total number of drops by the drop factor, providing the volume in milliliters. In our example, with 12000 drops administered, dividing by 15 gtt/mL, gives 800 mL.
This conversion ensures that precise volumes are administered, helping avoid complications associated with incorrect dosing.

flow rate calculation

Flow rate calculation is about determining how much fluid is delivered via IV over a specific period. It's measured in drops per minute (gtt/min).
In the exercise, the flow rate is given as 25 gtt/min. To gauge the total volume of fluid the patient receives, you multiply this by the total time the IV runs, converted to minutes.
For example, over 8 hours, this means 25 gtt/min × 480 min = 12000 gtt in total.
Understanding and accurately calculating flow rates is essential for patient safety, ensuring the correct dosage and preventing both under- and over-administration of intravenous fluids.