A patient is to receive 0.5 litre of dextrose 4% in 1/5 normal saline in 12 hours. The administration set delivers 20 drops/mL. What is the drip rate in drops per minute?

A patient is to receive 0.5 litre of dextrose 4% in 1/5 normal saline in 12 hours. The administration set delivers 20 drops/mL. What is the drip rate in drops per minute?

• A. 12 gtt/min
• B. 14 gtt/min
• C. 16 gtt/min
• D. 18 gtt/min

Answer: (B)

The rate is found from volume to be infused, the time, and the drip factor. Convert 0.5 litre to milliliters: 500 mL. Infuse 500 mL over 12 hours gives about 41.7 mL per hour. With a set that delivers 20 drops per milliliter, that’s 41.7 × 20 ≈ 833 drops per hour. Dividing by 60 converts to drops per minute: 833 ÷ 60 ≈ 13.9, which rounds to 14 drops per minute. The solution’s concentration doesn’t change the rate here; it only matters for dose calculation.

The rate is found from volume to be infused, the time, and the drip factor. Convert 0.5 litre to milliliters: 500 mL. Infuse 500 mL over 12 hours gives about 41.7 mL per hour. With a set that delivers 20 drops per milliliter, that’s 41.7 × 20 ≈ 833 drops per hour. Dividing by 60 converts to drops per minute: 833 ÷ 60 ≈ 13.9, which rounds to 14 drops per minute. The solution’s concentration doesn’t change the rate here; it only matters for dose calculation.