Final answer:
To calculate the flow rate for infusing 125mL/hr of Lactated Ringer's solution via gravity using macrodrip tubing, you need the drip factor of the tubing. Assuming a macrodrip factor of 15 gtt/mL, the calculation yields a flow rate of 31.25 gtt/min, which should be rounded to 31 gtt/min.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking how to calculate the flow rate for an intravenous (IV) fluid administration:Lactated Ringer's (LR) solution to be infused at 125mL per hour using gravity-fed macrodrip tubing. The flow rate is defined as the number of drops per minute (gtt/min) needed to deliver a specified volume of fluid per hour using drip factor specified by the IV tubing.
In order to calculate the flow rate (gtt/min), we need to know the drip factor of the macrodrip tubing, which is typically measured in drops per milliliter (gtt/mL). The drip factor is usually stated on the IV tubing package and varies between different brands and types of tubing; common macrodrip factors are 10, 15, or 20 gtt/mL.
If we assume a common macrodrip factor of 15 gtt/mL, the calculation for the flow rate would be:
Flow Rate (gtt/min) = (Volume to be infused (mL/hr) × Drip factor (gtt/mL)) / 60 min/hr
For the given volume of 125mL/hr:
Flow Rate (gtt/min) = (125 mL/hr × 15 gtt/mL) / 60 min/hr
Flow Rate (gtt/min) = 1875 gtt/hr / 60 min/hr
Flow Rate (gtt/min) = 31.25 gtt/min, which you would round to the nearest whole number, so 31 gtt/min.