Final answer:
The calculation for the IV drip rate of 150mL of D5W to be administered over 3 hours with a drip factor of 10 gtt/mL results in 8.33 drops per minute, which is not an option provided in the question. The answer should be rounded to the nearest whole number, resulting in 8 drops per minute, but there may be an error in the question or a misunderstanding.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of this question is calculating the correct infusion rate for IV administration of fluids, particularly dextrose 5% in water (D5W). The calculation of the IV drip rate is a practical application of basic mathematics in the field of health and medicine. Nurses, often colloquially referred to as 'murses' when male, use these calculations to ensure patient safety and the efficacy of intravenous therapy.
First, we calculate the total number of drops needed to administer 150 mL of D5W over 3 hours with a drip factor of 10 gtt/mL:
Total drops = (volume in mL) x (drip factor) = 150 mL x 10 gtt/mL = 1500 drops
Next, we calculate the drops per minute:
Drops per minute = Total drops / Time in minutes = 1500 drops / 180 minutes = 8.33 drops per minute
However, this answer is not one of the provided options, which suggests there may be an error in the question or a misunderstanding. The calculated infusion rate must be rounded to the nearest whole number for practical use, which would be 8 drops per minute, but this still does not match any of the options provided. Therefore, the nurse should double-check the calculations or refer to the instructions to ensure correct administration.