Calculate the rate for 1.5 L Lactated Ringers to be given over 12 hours with tubing that delivers 25 gtt/mL. What is the rate in gtt/min?

Calculate the rate for 1.5 L Lactated Ringers to be given over 12 hours with tubing that delivers 25 gtt/mL. What is the rate in gtt/min?

• A. 41 gtt/min
• B. 39 gtt/min
• C. 46 gtt/min
• D. 52 gtt/min

Answer: (D)

To find the rate in gtt/min, multiply the volume in mL by the drip factor (gtt/mL) and divide by the infusion time in minutes. Convert 1.5 L to 1500 mL and 12 hours to 720 minutes. With a drip factor of 25 gtt/mL, the total drops are 1500 × 25 = 37,500 drops. Over 720 minutes, that’s 37,500 ÷ 720 ≈ 52.1 gtt/min, which rounds to 52 gtt/min. This matches the given option.

To find the rate in gtt/min, multiply the volume in mL by the drip factor (gtt/mL) and divide by the infusion time in minutes. Convert 1.5 L to 1500 mL and 12 hours to 720 minutes. With a drip factor of 25 gtt/mL, the total drops are 1500 × 25 = 37,500 drops. Over 720 minutes, that’s 37,500 ÷ 720 ≈ 52.1 gtt/min, which rounds to 52 gtt/min. This matches the given option.