Question

The HCP has ordered Cefazolin 500 mg IVPB every 6 hours. The pharmacy sends Cefazolin 500 mg in 50 mL of D5/W and it is to run over 1 hour via an infusion pump. The drop factor of the IVPB set is 60 gtt per mL.Whats the Hourly Rate?What would the hourly rate be if the HCP ordered it to run over 30 minutes?

Answer 1

Flow rate = 50 mL/h in first scenario

and 100mL/h in second scenario

Step-by-step explanation:

The following formula is used for calculating flow rates for infusion pump.

Flow rate (in mL/h) =
`(Volume ( mL))/(Time (hours))`

The drop rate (measured in gtts/mL) is irrelevant in flow rate calculations of infusion pumps.

FIRST SCENARIO:

KNOWN DATA IN FIRST SCENARIO:

Time = 1 hour

Volume = 50 mL ( mathematically, we don't require 500mg as it is already mixed in the 50mL solution)

Hourly flow rate = unknown

CALCULATION:

Flow rate (in mL/h) =
`(Volume ( mL))/(Time (hours))`

Putting the known values in the formula,

Flow rate =
`(50)/(1)`

Flow rate = 50 mL/h

SECOND SCENARIO:

KNOWN DATA IN SECOND SCENARIO:

Time = 0.5 hours ( 30 minutes = 0.5 hours, 30/60 = 0.5 hours)

Volume = 50mL ( mathematically, we don't require 500mg as it is already mixed in the 50mL solution)

Flow rate = unknown

CALCULATION:

Flow rate (in mL/h) =
`(Volume ( mL))/(Time (hours))`

Plugging in the known values,

Flow rate =
`(50)/(0.5)`

Flow rate = 100 mL/h