PRACTICE #2: The order is to give Solu-Medrol 125 mg IVPB q.4h. The
medication is to be dissolved in 50 ml of I.V. fluid and the
recommended administration time is 15 minutes. Using a
drop factor of 20 gtts/ml, determine the infusion rate.
SOLUTION:
50 ml x 20 gtts/ml
15
1000 = 67 gtts/min.
15
2-28. ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATIONS BY CONTINUOUS INFUSION
NOTE:
With continuous I.V. infusions of medications, the physician will order a
medication dosage and not fluid volume. For example, the order may specify
mg/hr or units/hr.
EXAMPLE:
The order is to administer a continuous I.V. Heparin drip at a
rate of 1200 units per hour. The pharmacy sends up a 250 ml
bag of Normal Saline with 25,000 units of Heparin added. Using
a drop factor of 60 gtts/ml, determine the infusion rate to deliver
the ordered amount of medication.
a. Determine the amount of drug in the solution.
25,000 units
250 ml
b. Determine the number of ml/hr to be administered to give the ordered
dosage.
25,000 units = 1200 units
250 ml
X ml
25,000 X = 300,000
X = 12 ml/hr
c. Determine the infusion rate in gtts/min.
12 ml x 60 gtts/ml
60
720 = 12 gtts/min
60
MD0904
2-58