A 167 mL IV bag is to be infused over 60 minutes with a drop factor of 60 gtt/mL. What is the drip rate in gtt/min?

A 167 mL IV bag is to be infused over 60 minutes with a drop factor of 60 gtt/mL. What is the drip rate in gtt/min?

• A. 133 gtt/min
• B. 180 gtt/min
• C. 167 gtt/min
• D. 150 gtt/min

Answer: (C)

Drip rate is determined by converting the infusion to drops per minute using the drop factor. First, find how many milliliters occur each minute: 167 mL divided by 60 minutes equals about 2.783 mL per minute. With a drop factor of 60 gtt per mL, multiply the mL per minute by the drop factor: 2.783 mL/min × 60 gtt/mL = 167 gtt/min. The calculation also shows the 60 cancels: (167/60) × 60 = 167. So the infusion rate is 167 gtt per minute.

Drip rate is determined by converting the infusion to drops per minute using the drop factor. First, find how many milliliters occur each minute: 167 mL divided by 60 minutes equals about 2.783 mL per minute. With a drop factor of 60 gtt per mL, multiply the mL per minute by the drop factor: 2.783 mL/min × 60 gtt/mL = 167 gtt/min. The calculation also shows the 60 cancels: (167/60) × 60 = 167. So the infusion rate is 167 gtt per minute.