Question

Answer the question that was posed at the beginning of the lesson.

How are formulas used by nurses?

Include the following in your answer:

• an explanation of why a formula for the flow rate of an IV is more useful than a table of specific IV flow rates, and
• a description of the impact of using a formula, such as the one for IV flow rate, incorrectly.

Short answer

Nurses can use the formula by substituting different values of ‘volume of the solution’, ‘drop factor’ and ‘time in minutes’. As a table has limited values and/or limited combination of different variable and formula can be used for any values. So formula is more useful than table. Also, if a formula is used incorrectly, it can be dangerous for the health of patient, either IV flow becomes too slow or too fast which impact negatively on patient.

Step-by-step solution

- Answer “how are formulas used by nurses”

Nurses can use the formula by substituting different values of ‘volume of the solution’, ‘drop factor’ and ‘time in minutes’.

- Answer “why a formula is more useful than a table of specific rates”

Since, a table has limited values and/or limited combination of different variable and formula can be used for any values. So formula is more useful than table.

- Answer “impact of using a formula incorrectly”

If a formula is used incorrectly, it can be dangerous for the health of patient, either IV flow becomes too slow or too fast which impact negatively on patient.