PGIMER Nursing Officer - 2025
Nursing Foundation
Medium
A nurse is ordered to infuse 250 mL of IV fluid over 12 hours using tubing with a drop factor of 15 drops per mL. Which calculation correctly gives the drop rate?
Appeared in: PGIMER Nursing Officer - 2025
Explanation
- The standard formula is: total volume (mL) × drop factor (drops/mL) ÷ total time (minutes).
- For this scenario: 250 × 15 ÷ (12 × 60) = 3750 ÷ 720 ≈ 5.2 drops per minute.
- This calculation ensures the prescribed volume is infused evenly over the ordered time.
- Accurate calculation prevents complications from over- or under-infusion.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
- Option B: This formula incorrectly multiplies by 60 and divides by 15, which does not follow the standard drip rate formula and results in an unrealistically high rate.
- Option C: This uses half the volume and half the time, which does not match the original order. It is a distractor based on a different scenario.
- Option D: This uses a drop factor of 10 and a total time of 24 hours, which does not match the order. The result is much lower than required.
Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
- Nursing practice connection: Knowing Calculation of IV drip rate using drop factor and time helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
- Nurses must accurately calculate IV drip rates to ensure safe and effective fluid administration.
- Incorrect calculations can lead to under- or over-infusion, causing complications such as fluid overload or dehydration.
- What if? If the drop factor or total volume changes, the nurse must recalculate the rate to match the new parameters and avoid errors.
How to Approach the Question
- Identify the total volume to be infused, the total time in hours, and the drop factor.
- Convert the total time from hours to minutes (multiply hours by 60).
- Use the standard formula: total volume × drop factor ÷ total time (in minutes).
- Substitute the values and calculate the answer.
- Compare each option to see which matches the correct calculation.
Concept Tested & Keywords
- Concept Tested: Calculation of IV drip rate using drop factor and time
- Stem keywords: 250 mL IV fluid, 12 hours, drop factor 15 drops/mL, nurse, infusion
- Lead-in keywords: calculation, correctly, drop rate
- Clinical cues: Volume: 250 mL
- Clinical cues: Time: 12 hours
Question ID
QcZgcoqzHdkPi75q6An_OY
Reference Book
E6 Pharmacology Nurses Shanbhag 3e p. 54-56
E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 5 p. 93-95
E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 799-801
Practise the full PGIMER Nursing Officer - 2025
Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.
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