Question

how to calculate the flow rate of IV ?

Case Study: You are working an eight hour shift, from 7:30am to 3:30pm. Mr. Jones, in room 412, is 2 days post op cholecystectomy and is receiving IV therapy. The physician's order reads: 1000 mL DS1/2 NS Q8H. His diet has been advanced to clear liquids. At 7:30am while making rounds you note that there is 500 mlL left in the bag, You assess the IV site and there is no evidence of infiltration, phlebitis or infection at the site. n physical present in all 4 quadrants; dietary delivers assessment at 8am you determine that his V/S.are stable and BS are the morningtra Mr. Jones consumes 100% of the food on the tray. This includes: 4 oz Jello, 6 oz. ch broth, 8 oz tea and 2- Soz glasses of water icken ones complains of pain in his right arm. You assess the IV site and note redness at the insertion site and swelling. The temperature of the skin surrounding the IV site is cool to touch. You check the IV bag The physician discontinues the IV and Mr. Jones' foley catheter at 11am. You measure the urine in the drainage bag: 450 mL clear yellow urine. His diet is advanced to full liquids as tolerated. Lunch is served around noon and Mr. Jones eats a cup of vanilla custard, a 6 oz serving of creamed soup and tea with milk and 2 sugars. At 1 pm Mr. Jones' wife tells you her husband is complaining of nausea...You immediately check on Mr. Jones and find that he is pale and diaphoretic. He is holding his abdomen and an emesis basin to his mouth. As you continue your assessment Mr. Jones vomits 300mL of green drainage into the emesis basin. 2pm The physician is called and writes an order to restart Mr. Jones' IV therapy of: 1000 mL D5 0.5% NS Q8H and places him on NPO status. Mr. Jones asks for the urinal at 2:30pm and voids 250 mL clear yellow urine. 3:15pm Change of shift Activity alculate the flow rate of the IV.

Answer 1

Formula

Flow rate =Total volume×drop factor÷Time×60

The standard drop factor is 15

Given

Patient status:NPO

IV fluid:D5 0.5% NS

Frequency:Q8H (8 hourly)

Total volume 1000ml

Flow rate=1000×15÷8×60

=31.25 or 31 drops per minute

Ans:The fluid should be adjusted at 31 drops per minute to be completed at 8 hours