How to Calculate IV Rate of Flow

Dispensing of intravenous fluid often calls for a precise rate of flow. The intravenous regimen is set up with a bag of solution, a drip chamber and a hollow needle that connects to the vein. The amount of drip that enters the chamber per minute regulates the flow. To ensure that the patient is receiving the solution at the proper rate of speed, it is necessary to calculate the correct flow rate. To do this, you need to know the drop factor, the total volume of the liquid and time in minutes needed to administer.

Instructions

• 1

  Determine the drop factor for the solution. Common drop factors are: 10 drops/ml for blood set, 15 drops/ml for regular set, 60 drops/ml for microdrop.

• 2

  Note the volume in milliliters of your IV solution. Take the volume (ml) and multiple it by the factor determined in step one. For instance, if the IV were a 10 ml solution of blood, your number would be 100.

• 3

  Determine the time it should take to dispense the fluid. If the time is listed in hours, multiply the hours by 60 to determine minutes, three-hour drip equals 180 minutes.

• 4

  Divide the number in step two by the drip time in minutes. For example, a 1500 ml IV Saline solution ordered to dispense over 12 hours.

  1500 X 15/12 x 60 = 31 gtts/minute

  1500 is the volume, saline is a regular drop factor/ divided by 720 minutes = 31