WEEK 4 IV CALCULATIONS

Question 1

If a calculation yields a decimal expression, what should you do?

Answer 1

Round to the nearest whole number of ml/h

Question 2

What kind of orders require the use of a pump?

Answer 2

Complex or high alert medications

Question 3

What is the formula for calculating flow rates for infusion pumps?

Answer 3

x mls/hr = amount of solution in mls / time in hrs

Question 4

What is the formula for calculating flow rates for less than a hour?

Answer 4

x mls/60 min = amount of solution in mls / time in mins

Question 5

What does the usual IV rate range from?

Answer 5

50-200 ml/hr

Question 6

What is the standard type of IV tubing for general infusions via gravity?

Answer 6

Macrodrop

Question 7

What is the drop factor range for macrodrop tubing?

Answer 7

10, 15, or 20 gtt/ml

Question 8

What is the other type of IV tubing for infusion via gravity?

Answer 8

Microdrop

Question 9

What is the standard drop factor for microdrop tubing?

Answer 9

60 gtt/min

Question 10

What is the formula used to calculate drip rate for IV infusion via gravity?

Answer 10

x gtt/min = [amt of solution (ml) x drop factor] / time in minutes

Question 11

How do you calculate a drop factor constant?

Answer 11

60 min / Drop factor

Question 12

How would you calculate drip rate using drop factor constant?

Answer 12

gtt/min = [ml/h] / drop factor constant

Question 13

How would you calculate total infusion time if you have the vtbi and the infusion rate?

Answer 13

infusion time (hr) = total volume (ml) / [ml/hr]

Question 14

When recalculating flow rate due to changes in patient position etc., what is the rule?

Answer 14

Recalculated flow rate should not vary from original rate by more than 25%. If it does, notify MRP.