The order is for D5W IV infusing at 150 mL/h for 2 hours with a drop factor of 60 gtt/mL. What is the total volume that will be required?

The order is for D5W IV infusing at 150 mL/h for 2 hours with a drop factor of 60 gtt/mL. What is the total volume that will be required?

• A. 150 mL
• B. 300 mL
• C. 450 mL
• D. 600 mL

Answer: (B)

The amount of fluid needed is found by multiplying the flow rate by the duration of the infusion. At 150 mL per hour for 2 hours, the total volume is 150 × 2 = 300 mL. The drop factor (60 gtt/mL) affects how many drops per minute you would set if you were calculating the drip rate, but it doesn’t change the total volume to be administered. If you later needed the drip rate, it would be (300 mL × 60 gtt/mL) ÷ 120 min = 150 gtt/min. So the required total volume is 300 mL.

The amount of fluid needed is found by multiplying the flow rate by the duration of the infusion. At 150 mL per hour for 2 hours, the total volume is 150 × 2 = 300 mL. The drop factor (60 gtt/mL) affects how many drops per minute you would set if you were calculating the drip rate, but it doesn’t change the total volume to be administered. If you later needed the drip rate, it would be (300 mL × 60 gtt/mL) ÷ 120 min = 150 gtt/min. So the required total volume is 300 mL.