Final answer:
To calculate the infusion rate, multiply the volume (250 mL) by the number of drops per mL (10 drops/mL) to get the total number of drops (2500 drops), then divide by the time in minutes (120 minutes) to determine the drops per minute, resulting in approximately 21 drops per minute.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a patient is to receive an infusion of platelets, calculating the infusion rate is crucial for proper dosage. In this problem, the patient needs 250 mL of platelets to be infused over 2 hours. The tubing is labelled as 1 mL equals 10 drops. To determine the number of drops per minute the nurse needs to infuse, we use the following calculation:
- Determine the total number of drops: 250 mL × 10 drops/mL = 2500 drops.
- Calculate the total time for the infusion in minutes: 2 hours × 60 minutes/hour = 120 minutes.
- Divide the total number of drops by the total time: 2500 drops / 120 minutes = 20.83 drops per minute. The nurse will infuse approximately 21 drops per minute (since we cannot have a fraction of a drop).
The flow rate for the infusion of platelets is an example of a real-world application of basic arithmetic and unit conversion that ensures patients receive the correct amount of medication in a precise and controlled manner.