A 200 mL dose of antibiotic must be infused over 40 minutes using a pump that delivers 60 mL/h. What is the required flow rate, in mL/h?

A 200 mL dose of antibiotic must be infused over 40 minutes using a pump that delivers 60 mL/h. What is the required flow rate, in mL/h?

• A. 250 mL/h
• B. 300 mL/h
• C. 200 mL/h
• D. 150 mL/h

Answer: (B)

To deliver a specific volume in a given time, use flow rate = volume / time. Convert 40 minutes to hours: 40/60 = 2/3 hour. Then the rate needed is 200 mL ÷ (2/3 h) = 200 × (3/2) = 300 mL/h. So the required flow rate is 300 mL/h. Note that if the pump can only deliver 60 mL/h, it couldn’t achieve this dose in 40 minutes with that pump; you’d need a pump capable of 300 mL/h or adjust the time or dose.

To deliver a specific volume in a given time, use flow rate = volume / time. Convert 40 minutes to hours: 40/60 = 2/3 hour. Then the rate needed is 200 mL ÷ (2/3 h) = 200 × (3/2) = 300 mL/h. So the required flow rate is 300 mL/h. Note that if the pump can only deliver 60 mL/h, it couldn’t achieve this dose in 40 minutes with that pump; you’d need a pump capable of 300 mL/h or adjust the time or dose.