Question

An IV medication in 60 mL of 0.9% NS is to be administered in 45 mins. The drop factor is a microdrop

Answer 1

To administer 60 mL of IV medication over 45 minutes with a microdrop set, calculate the total drops (Volume × Drop Factor), then divide by time to get 80 drops/min. This ensures accurate and safe medication delivery.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the flow rate for an IV medication to be administered in 45 minutes, we need to use the formula for IV drip rates. The question states that there is a total volume of 60 mL of 0.9% normal saline (NS) to be infused over 45 minutes with a microdrop (60 drops/mL) set. The drip rate is calculated as follows:

1. Calculate the total number of drops: Total Volume (mL) × Drop Factor (drops/mL).
2. Calculate the drip rate per minute: Total Drops ÷ Total Time (min).

1. Total drops = 60 mL × 60 drops/mL = 3600 drops.
2. Drip rate = 3600 drops ÷ 45 min = 80 drops/min.

The nurse would then adjust the IV to deliver 80 drops per minute to administer the medication as prescribed. This calculation is necessary to ensure the patient receives the medication at the correct rate, which is critical for both the efficacy and safety of the treatment.