A 350 mL bag infused over 2 hours using a 20 gtt/mL set. What is the drip rate in gtt/min?

A 350 mL bag infused over 2 hours using a 20 gtt/mL set. What is the drip rate in gtt/min?

• A. 60 gtt/min
• B. 58 gtt/min
• C. 56 gtt/min
• D. 59 gtt/min

Answer: (B)

Drip rate in gtt/min is found by multiplying the volume to be infused (in mL) by the drop factor (gtt/mL) and then dividing by the infusion time (in minutes). Here, 350 mL over 2 hours (120 minutes) with a 20 gtt/mL set gives: 350 × 20 = 7000 gtt total. 7000 gtt ÷ 120 min = 58.33 gtt/min, which rounds to 58 gtt/min in clinical practice. So the best-fit rate is about 58 gtt/min. For context, 60 gtt/min would deliver 360 mL in 2 hours with this drop factor, while 56 gtt/min would deliver 336 mL, and 59 gtt/min would deliver 354 mL, making 58 gtt/min the closest and standard rounded value.

Drip rate in gtt/min is found by multiplying the volume to be infused (in mL) by the drop factor (gtt/mL) and then dividing by the infusion time (in minutes).

Here, 350 mL over 2 hours (120 minutes) with a 20 gtt/mL set gives: 350 × 20 = 7000 gtt total. 7000 gtt ÷ 120 min = 58.33 gtt/min, which rounds to 58 gtt/min in clinical practice.

So the best-fit rate is about 58 gtt/min. For context, 60 gtt/min would deliver 360 mL in 2 hours with this drop factor, while 56 gtt/min would deliver 336 mL, and 59 gtt/min would deliver 354 mL, making 58 gtt/min the closest and standard rounded value.