An adult casualty weights 165 pounds. He has second- and third-degree burns over
his back, buttocks, and the backs of both legs. Compute the flow rate for the first 8
hours; then for the remaining 16 hours if 10 drops equal one milliliter.
1. Estimate BSA burned:
Back--
9 percent
Buttocks --
9 percent
Back of left leg --
9 percent
Back of right leg --
9 percent
Total --
36 percent
2. Estimate weight in kilograms
165 pounds/2.2 pounds per kilogram = 75 kilograms
3. Multiply weight (kg) by the percent of body surface area burned
75 x 36 = 2700 (Note: The percent BSA is not a decimal.)
4. Multiply by 4 milliliters.
2700 x 4 ml = 10,800 ml (total fluid for first 24-hour period)
5. Divide by 2.
10,800 ml/2 = 5400 ml (total fluid administered during first 8 hours;
total fluid administered during following 16
hours)
6. Divide first half by 8. Divide second half by 16.
5400 ml/8 hours = 675 ml per hour (first 8 hours)
5400 ml/16 hours = 337.5 ml per hour (remaining 16 hours)
7. Divide by 60.
675/60 = 11.25 ml per minute (first 8 hours)
337.5/60 = 5.625 ml per minute (remaining 16 hours)
8. Multiply by the number of drops per milliliter
11.25 x 10 = 112.5 drops per minute (first 8 hours)
5.625 x 10 = 56.25 drops per minute (remaining 16 hours)
NOTE:
Drops per minute figure will be rounded when actually
setting IV flow rate.
Figure 6-6. Example of a flow rate computation using modified Brook formula
for calculating replacement fluid.
MD0554
6-11