An infusion of 120 mL is to be delivered over 2 hours with a set that delivers 60 drops per mL. How many drops per minute should be programmed?

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Multiple Choice

An infusion of 120 mL is to be delivered over 2 hours with a set that delivers 60 drops per mL. How many drops per minute should be programmed?

When calculating IV flow rate in drops per minute, use the volume, the drop factor, and the total time. The infusion is 2 hours, which is 120 minutes. The drop factor is 60 drops per milliliter, so the total number of drops to be delivered is 120 mL × 60 drops/mL = 7200 drops. Now divide the total drops by the total time: 7200 drops ÷ 120 minutes = 60 drops per minute. So the programmed rate is 60 drops per minute. (You can confirm with an alternative path: 120 mL over 2 hours is 60 mL/hour; 60 mL/hour × 60 drops/mL = 3600 drops/hour; 3600 drops/hour ÷ 60 minutes/hour = 60 drops/min.)

When calculating IV flow rate in drops per minute, use the volume, the drop factor, and the total time.

The infusion is 2 hours, which is 120 minutes. The drop factor is 60 drops per milliliter, so the total number of drops to be delivered is 120 mL × 60 drops/mL = 7200 drops. Now divide the total drops by the total time: 7200 drops ÷ 120 minutes = 60 drops per minute.

So the programmed rate is 60 drops per minute. (You can confirm with an alternative path: 120 mL over 2 hours is 60 mL/hour; 60 mL/hour × 60 drops/mL = 3600 drops/hour; 3600 drops/hour ÷ 60 minutes/hour = 60 drops/min.)

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