A nurse on PICU is advised to give 400 ml fluid to be given on 8 hours, drop factor is 60 drop per minute. Nurse will run this fluid at what flow rate?

1. A

   13 drops per minute

2. B

   50 drops per minute

3. C

   17 drops per minute

4. D

   30 drops per minute

Appeared in: AIIMS Delhi NO- 2019

Explanation

• derived using the standard formula for IV flow rate: Flow Rate (gtt/min) = (Total Volume in mL × Drop Factor) / Total Time in minutes.
• First, the total infusion time must be converted from hours to minutes: 8 hours × 60 minutes/hour = 480 minutes.
• Plugging the values into the formula gives: (400 mL × 60 gtt/mL) / 480 min.
• This simplifies to 24,000 / 480, which equals 50 gtt/min.
• A drop factor of 60 gtt/mL is characteristic of a microdrip set, commonly used in pediatrics for precision.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option A: This is an incorrect calculation. It may result from errors in converting time or applying the formula.
• Option C: This is an incorrect calculation. It may result from errors in converting time or applying the formula.
• Option D: This is an incorrect calculation. It may result from errors in converting time or applying the formula.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: Prioritize focused assessment, early escalation, and real-time monitoring when managing IV Fluid Flow Rate Calculation in acute care settings.
• Accurate IV flow rate calculation is a fundamental nursing skill essential for patient safety, preventing fluid overload or dehydration.
• In a Pediatric ICU (PICU), precision is paramount. Children are highly sensitive to fluid volume changes, and small errors can have significant consequences.
• The use of a microdrip set (60 gtt/mL) allows for more precise control over the infusion rate, which is critical for administering medications and fluids to pediatric patients.

How to Approach the Question

• First, identify all the variables given in the question: Total Volume, Total Time, and Drop Factor.
• Note the units for each variable. The final answer needs to be in 'drops per minute'.
• Convert the total infusion time from hours to minutes, as the required rate is per minute. Multiply the hours by 60.
• Recall or identify the correct formula: Flow Rate (gtt/min) = (Volume × Drop Factor) / Time in minutes.
• Substitute the given values into the formula and perform the calculation.
• Compare your calculated result with the given options to find the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: IV Fluid Flow Rate Calculation
• Stem keywords: PICU, 400 ml, 8 hours, drop factor, 60 drop per minute, flow rate
• Lead-in keywords: what flow rate
• Clinical cues: The setting is a Pediatric ICU (PICU), where precise fluid administration is critical.
• Clinical cues: The drop factor is 60 gtt/min, indicating a microdrip set.

Question ID

QBE2Hz3_5OdA2pyO_-Bk_U

Copy ID

Reference Book

E6 Pharmacology Nurses Shanbhag 3e p. 54-56

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 5 p. 93-95