Keflex 1.5 g in 50 mL of a 5% Dextrose solution. The order states administration over 40 minutes. The IV tubing delivers 15 gtt/mL. What is the rate in gtt/min?

Keflex 1.5 g in 50 mL of a 5% Dextrose solution. The order states administration over 40 minutes. The IV tubing delivers 15 gtt/mL. What is the rate in gtt/min?

• A. 19 gtt/min
• B. 25 gtt/min
• C. 15 gtt/min
• D. 31 gtt/min

Answer: (A)

Infusion rate is found by turning the total volume into milliliters per minute, then converting to drops per minute using the tubing’s drop factor. First, figure the workflow in mL per minute: 50 mL divided by 40 minutes equals 1.25 mL per minute. Next, convert to drops per minute with the tubing factor: 1.25 mL/min × 15 gtt/mL = 18.75 gtt/min. Since drops are counted as whole units, round to the nearest whole drop: 19 gtt/min. So, the rate is 19 gtt/min. The medication amount and solution concentration don’t change the calculation since the total volume and time are given, and the drop factor is what converts mL/min to gtt/min.

Infusion rate is found by turning the total volume into milliliters per minute, then converting to drops per minute using the tubing’s drop factor.

First, figure the workflow in mL per minute: 50 mL divided by 40 minutes equals 1.25 mL per minute.

Next, convert to drops per minute with the tubing factor: 1.25 mL/min × 15 gtt/mL = 18.75 gtt/min. Since drops are counted as whole units, round to the nearest whole drop: 19 gtt/min.

So, the rate is 19 gtt/min. The medication amount and solution concentration don’t change the calculation since the total volume and time are given, and the drop factor is what converts mL/min to gtt/min.