QuestionAugust 24, 2025

The physician orders an IV solution of 800 mL to infuse over 4 hours. The drop factor is 20. You should infused the IV at how many drops per minute? __ gtts/min (Enter the numerical value only)

The physician orders an IV solution of 800 mL to infuse over 4 hours. The drop factor is 20. You should infused the IV at how many drops per minute? __ gtts/min (Enter the numerical value only)
The physician orders an IV solution of 800 mL to infuse over 4 hours. The drop factor is 20. You should infused the IV at how many drops per minute?
__ gtts/min (Enter the numerical value only)

Solution
4.1(189 votes)

Answer

67 Explanation 1. Calculate the total infusion time in minutes Convert hours to minutes: 4 \text{ hours} \times 60 \text{ minutes/hour} = 240 \text{ minutes}. 2. Calculate the flow rate in mL per minute Divide the total volume by the total time: \frac{800 \text{ mL}}{240 \text{ minutes}} = \frac{10}{3} \text{ mL/minute}. 3. Calculate drops per minute Use the formula for drops per minute: **gtts/min = (mL/min) × drop factor**. Substitute the values: \left(\frac{10}{3} \text{ mL/min}\right) \times 20 \text{ gtts/mL} = \frac{200}{3} \approx 66.67. 4. Round to the nearest whole number Since you cannot have a fraction of a drop, round to the nearest whole number: 67.

Explanation

1. Calculate the total infusion time in minutes<br /> Convert hours to minutes: $4 \text{ hours} \times 60 \text{ minutes/hour} = 240 \text{ minutes}$.<br /><br />2. Calculate the flow rate in mL per minute<br /> Divide the total volume by the total time: $\frac{800 \text{ mL}}{240 \text{ minutes}} = \frac{10}{3} \text{ mL/minute}$.<br /><br />3. Calculate drops per minute<br /> Use the formula for drops per minute: **gtts/min = (mL/min) × drop factor**. <br /> Substitute the values: $\left(\frac{10}{3} \text{ mL/min}\right) \times 20 \text{ gtts/mL} = \frac{200}{3} \approx 66.67$.<br /><br />4. Round to the nearest whole number<br /> Since you cannot have a fraction of a drop, round to the nearest whole number: $67$.
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