NCLEX-PN® ExaminationReduction of Risk PotentialEasy
A licensed practical nurse (LPN) is caring for a client with a new prescription for an intravenous (IV) infusion of 0.9% Sodium Chloride at 125 mL/hr. The IV tubing has a drop factor of 15 gtt/mL. The nurse should set the infusion rate to deliver how many drops per minute?
- A31 gtt/min
- B63 gtt/min
- C21 gtt/min
- D47 gtt/min
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 31 gtt/min
To calculate drops per minute, use the formula: (Volume in mL/hr * Drop factor in gtt/mL) / 60 min/hr. (125 mL/hr * 15 gtt/mL) / 60 min/hr = 31.25 gtt/min, which rounds to 31 gtt/min.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. This calculation is incorrect and significantly overestimates the required drip rate.
- C. This calculation is incorrect and does not reflect the proper formula for IV drip rates.
- D. This calculation is incorrect; it might result from an error in multiplication or division.
IV Drip Rate Calculation
The process of determining the number of drops per minute required to deliver a prescribed volume of intravenous fluid over a specific time, using the IV tubing's drop factor.
- Formula: (Volume (mL) * Drop Factor (gtt/mL)) / Time (min)
- Drop factor varies by tubing type (macro vs. micro)
- Rounding to the nearest whole number is common practice for gtt/min
Memory trick: Volume Drops Time: Very Diluted Time!