Answer to infusion quiz

1. 20 hours
2. 4 hours 10 minutes
3. 0910
4. 1300
5. 0128 on 11/12
6. 10 hrs 25 minutes
7. 13 hrs 20 minutes
8. 3 hrs 20 minute

IV Infusion Set Calculations (Intravenous)

It is imperative to understand how to calculate IV Infusion/IV mixture, dosage, and rate of flow before a infusion is started.

IV Infusion sets are pre-calibrated to how many drops per ml(gtt/ml) of a solution they administer to the patient.

This is NOT to be confused with Drops per Minute (gtt/min). Drops per minute can be adjusted on the device. It is very important to never confuse the two.

Here is the basic formula:

Flow Rate Formula

Memorize the difference of the two.

Drop Factor        gtt/mL IV Infusion devices are calibrated to deliver so many Drops equal to one  Milliliter.

Flow Rate            gtt/min                

A nurse will set the device to dispense so many drops per minute in order to achieve the proper ml/min.

Let's use an example similar to the one on the last page :

The patient is prescribed:  720ml of mixture over 6 hours

720mL ÷ 6 Hrs = 120mL/Hr. determine how much per Minute. 120mL/Hr ÷ 60(min/Hr) = 2mL/min

We arrived at 2mL/min

The Infusion set device delivers 10 gtt/ml,

Now, simply take the amount of ml/min and multiply it by the gtt/ml.

2ml/min x 10gtt/ml = 20gtt/min