A patient has an order to infuse 100 mL of D51/2NS with 10 mEq of KCl over 30 minutes. The IV set delivers 10 gtt/mL. What is the correct flow rate in drops per minute (gtt/min), rounded to the nearest whole number?

A patient has an order to infuse 100 mL of D51/2NS with 10 mEq of KCl over 30 minutes. The IV set delivers 10 gtt/mL. What is the correct flow rate in drops per minute (gtt/min), rounded to the nearest whole number?

• A. 33 gtt/min
• B. 31 gtt/min
• C. 44 gtt/min
• D. 22 gtt/min

Answer: (A)

Understanding drops per minute requires converting the total volume to drops and then spreading them over the infusion time. The drip set delivers 10 drops per milliliter, so 100 mL equals 100 × 10 = 1000 drops. These 1000 drops must be given in 30 minutes, so the flow rate is 1000 drops ÷ 30 minutes = 33.3 drops per minute. Rounding to the nearest whole number gives 33 gtt/min.

Understanding drops per minute requires converting the total volume to drops and then spreading them over the infusion time. The drip set delivers 10 drops per milliliter, so 100 mL equals 100 × 10 = 1000 drops. These 1000 drops must be given in 30 minutes, so the flow rate is 1000 drops ÷ 30 minutes = 33.3 drops per minute. Rounding to the nearest whole number gives 33 gtt/min.