Question

A client has both primary IV infusion and a secondary infusion of medication. An infusion pump is not available. The nurse needs to determine the current rate of infusion of the primary IV. Where should the nurse observe to determine the rate of infusion?

Answer 1

To determine the rate of infusion without a pump, the nurse should observe the drip chamber and calculate the flow rate using the number of drops per minute and the drop factor.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse needs to observe the drip chamber of the primary IV infusion setup to determine the current rate of infusion without an infusion pump. This is where the drops of the IV fluid can be seen falling, often referred to as the drip rate. By counting the number of drops per minute and knowing the drop factor (drops per mL) of the IV tubing, which is usually stated on the IV tubing package, the nurse can calculate the flow rate. For instance, if the drop factor is 15 drops/mL and the nurse counts 30 drops in 1 minute, the flow rate would be 2 mL per minute (30 drops per minute divided by 15 drops/mL).