The health care provider orders 1000 mL of D5LR with 20 mEq KCl to run

The health care provider orders 1000 mL of D5LR with 20 mEq KCl to run for 8 hours. Using an infusion set with a drop factor of 15 gtt/mL, the nurse calculates the flow rate to be:

1. 12 gtt/min
2. 22 gtt/min
3. 32 gtt/min
4. 42 gtt/min

ANSWER

ANS: 3
1000 mL ÷ 8 hr = 125 mL/hr; (15 gtt/mL ÷ 60 min) x 124 mL = 32 gtt/min.