If a line has a drop factor of 60 gtt/mL and is delivering 16 gtt/min, what is the rate in mL/h?

If a line has a drop factor of 60 gtt/mL and is delivering 16 gtt/min, what is the rate in mL/h?

• A. 16 mL/h
• B. 12 mL/h
• C. 18 mL/h
• D. 20 mL/h

Answer: (A)

Converting a drip rate from drops per minute to milliliters per hour relies on the drop factor, which tells how many drops make up one milliliter. With a drop factor of 60 gtt/mL, 60 drops equal 1 mL. At 16 gtt/min, the volume per minute is 16 gtt/min ÷ 60 gtt/mL = 0.2667 mL/min. To get per hour, multiply by 60 minutes: 0.2667 × 60 ≈ 16 mL/h. Equivalently, mL/h = (gtt/min) × 60 ÷ (gtt/mL); here that’s 16 × 60 ÷ 60 = 16. This shows why the rate is 16 mL per hour: the drops per minute are converted to milliliters per minute, then scaled to an hourly rate. This helps ensure IV infusions deliver the correct volume over time. The rate is 16 mL per hour.

Converting a drip rate from drops per minute to milliliters per hour relies on the drop factor, which tells how many drops make up one milliliter. With a drop factor of 60 gtt/mL, 60 drops equal 1 mL. At 16 gtt/min, the volume per minute is 16 gtt/min ÷ 60 gtt/mL = 0.2667 mL/min. To get per hour, multiply by 60 minutes: 0.2667 × 60 ≈ 16 mL/h. Equivalently, mL/h = (gtt/min) × 60 ÷ (gtt/mL); here that’s 16 × 60 ÷ 60 = 16. This shows why the rate is 16 mL per hour: the drops per minute are converted to milliliters per minute, then scaled to an hourly rate. This helps ensure IV infusions deliver the correct volume over time. The rate is 16 mL per hour.