Order: D5NS 500 mL IV for 5 h at 100 mL/h. The IV set drop factor (calibration) is 60 drops per mL. How many drops per minute would the nurse give?

Order: D5NS 500 mL IV for 5 h at 100 mL/h. The IV set drop factor (calibration) is 60 drops per mL. How many drops per minute would the nurse give?

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Answer

• How many drops per minute would the nurse give = 100 drops
  Explanation:
  Infusion is 100 mL per hour
  drop factor (gtts/mL) = 60
  This means to administer 100 mL in 1 hr, number of drops will be
  60 gtts/mL * 100 mL = 6,000 drops (gtts)
  6,000 drops in 1 hour
  Convert to minutes
  1 hour = 60 minute
  60 minutes = 6,000 drops
  1 minute = ?
  1 / 6,000 / 60 = 100 drops / min

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