Calculation of IV Fluids and Medications

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Chapter 12

• Calculation of IV Fluids and Medications

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Purpose of IV infusion

• Fluid replacement
• Administration of medication
• Continuous
• Intermittent
• Not feeding through the veins
• Regular IV fluid has little nutrient value and is
  mostly just fluid replacement
• Intravenous feeding is possible, but is a
  generally a much different process and fluid

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Flow rate

• Most usually indicated in mL/hr.
• In order to calculate, divide the total amount of
  fluid by the number of hours it is to infuse.
• Calculation used for determining rate at which to
  set electronic IV flow indicators.

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Manual IV regulation

• Even if the RN works in a facility with
  electronic IV regulators, it is imperative that
  he/she know how to figure rates for manual
  infusion
• Many times there are not enough IV regulators to
  go around for the patients
• Many facilities or areas still do not have
  sufficient or any electronic regualtors.

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Drop factors

• IV fluid infusion sets are manufactured to
  deliver a standard amount of drops per mL of
  fluid.
• This is called the drop factor of the tubing and
  will be indicated on the packaging.
• Micro drop tubings deliver 60 gtts/mL. With
  microgtt tubing, gtts/min cc/hr.
• Macro drop tubings deliver 10, 15, or 20 gtts/mL.

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Drops per Minute Formula

• V1 total volume to be infused
• T1 time in hours (always 1 unless gt 1)
• V2 drop factor of tubing (will always be
  given)
• T2 time in minutes (always 60 unless lt 60)

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Good news!

• This is the only formula you need to figure many
  IV infusions.
• You can substitute into this formula and figure
  gtts/min, time of infusion, and amount infused.
• Any time your problem mentions gtts/min, first
  think of this formula.
• Dont get confused with all of the other material
  in the textbook chapter. Memorize this formula
  and learn to use it.