Final answer:
To calculate the new flow rate when switching from glucose to whole blood in an IV, divide the original flow rate (4.00 cm³/min) by the viscosity factor (2.50), resulting in a new flow rate of 1.60 cm³/min.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to calculating the flow rate of an intravenous (IV) therapy. In IV therapy, flow rate changes are directly related to the viscosity of the fluid being administered, if all other factors remain constant. According to Poiseuille's law, the flow rate for non-compressible fluids in a cylindrical tube, like those in an IV setup, is inversely proportional to the fluid's viscosity.
Since the viscosity of whole blood is stated to be 2.50 times that of the glucose solution, the new flow rate can be calculated by dividing the original flow rate by this factor. The calculation is as follows:
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- Original flow rate: 4.00 cm³/min
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- Viscosity factor: 2.50
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- New flow rate: Original flow rate / Viscosity factor = 4.00 cm³/min / 2.50
Therefore, the new flow rate when switching from glucose to whole blood, with blood's viscosity being 2.50 times that of glucose, will be 1.60 cm³/min.