In a patient 1000 ml 5% dextrose to be infused in 6 hours via a standard macro drip set? At approximately how many drops per minute should the flow rate be set?

1. A

   31

2. B

   28

3. C

   42

4. D

   27

Appeared in: NORCET 3 - 2022 (Shift-2)

Explanation

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• The calculation requires the standard formula: Drip Rate = (Total Volume × Drop Factor) / Time in minutes.
• The total volume is 1000 mL, and the time is 6 hours, which converts to 360 minutes (6 × 60).
• A standard macro drip set is assumed to have a drop factor of 15 gtt/mL for calculation purposes in nursing exams unless specified otherwise.
• Plugging the values into the formula: (1000 mL × 15 gtt/mL) / 360 min = 15000 / 360.
• The result is 41.66..., which is rounded to the nearest whole number, 42 drops/min.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option A: This rate is too slow and would result in under-infusion. It does not correspond to a calculation using any standard macro drip factor for the given volume and time.
• Option B: This rate is incorrect because it assumes a drop factor of 10 gtt/mL. While 10 gtt/mL is a type of macro drip set, 15 gtt/mL is the more common standard assumed in exam questions.
• Option D: This rate is too slow and does not result from a correct calculation using standard parameters. It is very close to the rate for a 10 gtt/mL set but is still inaccurate.

Related Visual

• Visual 1: Diagram - An infographic illustrating the IV drip rate formula: (Total Volume in mL × Drop Factor in gtt/mL) / Time in minutes = Drops per minute. Each component should be clearly labeled.
• Visual 2: Image - A side-by-side comparison of a macrodrip chamber (showing a large opening for drops) and a microdrip chamber (showing a thin metal stylet that creates smaller drops), captioned to explain the difference in drop factors (10-20 gtt/mL vs. 60 gtt/mL).

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to IV Drip Rate Calculation to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
• Accurate IV flow rate is crucial for patient safety. Incorrect rates can lead to fluid overload (hypervolemia) or inadequate fluid/medication delivery, posing risks especially to patients with cardiac or renal conditions.
• While manual calculation is a fundamental nursing skill, electronic infusion pumps are the gold standard for safety and precision, especially for high-risk medications and vulnerable populations.
• Nurses must regularly monitor manually regulated IVs (at least hourly) as factors like patient position, vein patency, and tubing kinks can alter the flow rate.

How to Approach the Question

• First, identify the question type. This is an analytical question requiring a calculation.
• Identify all the necessary components from the stem: Total Volume (1000 mL), Time (6 hours), and IV set type (macro drip).
• Recall the standard formula for drip rate calculation: (Volume × Drop Factor) / Time in minutes.
• Convert all units to match the formula. Convert the infusion time from hours to minutes (6 hours × 60 = 360 minutes).
• Determine the drop factor. For a 'standard macro drip set' in an exam context, assume 15 gtt/mL unless another value is given.
• Substitute the values into the formula and solve: (1000 × 15) / 360.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: IV Drip Rate Calculation
• Stem keywords: 1000 ml, 5% dextrose, 6 hours, macro drip set, drops per minute
• Lead-in keywords: how many
• Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

QnYYtv-fFBhbb1u0AWEgaV

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