A unit of autologous blood 480 mL is to be infused over 3 hours using a giving set that delivers 15 drops/mL. What is the drip rate in gtt/min?

Prepare for your Infusion Calculations Test. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each question comes with hints and explanations. Ready yourself for success!

Multiple Choice

A unit of autologous blood 480 mL is to be infused over 3 hours using a giving set that delivers 15 drops/mL. What is the drip rate in gtt/min?

Explanation:
The key idea is converting the prescribed volume and time into a flow rate using the drop factor. First find the rate in milliliters per minute: 480 mL over 180 minutes (3 hours) equals 480/180 = 2.666... mL/min. Convert that to drops per minute with the given drop factor of 15 drops per mL: 2.666... mL/min × 15 gtt/mL = 40 gtt/min. The same calculation can be done directly by (480 mL × 15 gtt/mL) / 180 min = 40 gtt/min. So the drip rate is 40 gtt/min.

The key idea is converting the prescribed volume and time into a flow rate using the drop factor. First find the rate in milliliters per minute: 480 mL over 180 minutes (3 hours) equals 480/180 = 2.666... mL/min. Convert that to drops per minute with the given drop factor of 15 drops per mL: 2.666... mL/min × 15 gtt/mL = 40 gtt/min. The same calculation can be done directly by (480 mL × 15 gtt/mL) / 180 min = 40 gtt/min. So the drip rate is 40 gtt/min.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy