Calculate the drops per minute for an infusion of 750 mL over 9 hours with tubing of 20 gtt/mL.

Calculate the drops per minute for an infusion of 750 mL over 9 hours with tubing of 20 gtt/mL.

• A. 26 gtt/min
• B. 27 gtt/min
• C. 28 gtt/min
• D. 29 gtt/min

Answer: (D)

This question tests how to convert a volume to drops per minute using a drip factor. You first find the infusion rate in milliliters per hour, then turn that into drops per minute with the tubing’s drip factor. Calculate mL per hour: 750 mL divided by 9 hours equals about 83.33 mL/hour. Apply the drip factor: with 20 drops per milliliter, 83.33 mL/hour × 20 drops/mL = about 1666.7 drops per hour. Convert to drops per minute: 1666.7 drops/hour ÷ 60 minutes/hour ≈ 27.8 drops/min, which is typically rounded to 28 drops per minute. So, the infusion rate is approximately 28 gtt/min. Drop values are rounded to whole drops since you can’t deliver a fraction of a drop.

This question tests how to convert a volume to drops per minute using a drip factor. You first find the infusion rate in milliliters per hour, then turn that into drops per minute with the tubing’s drip factor.

Calculate mL per hour: 750 mL divided by 9 hours equals about 83.33 mL/hour.

Apply the drip factor: with 20 drops per milliliter, 83.33 mL/hour × 20 drops/mL = about 1666.7 drops per hour.

Convert to drops per minute: 1666.7 drops/hour ÷ 60 minutes/hour ≈ 27.8 drops/min, which is typically rounded to 28 drops per minute.

So, the infusion rate is approximately 28 gtt/min. Drop values are rounded to whole drops since you can’t deliver a fraction of a drop.