The drop rate for administering Inj. 5% dextrose, 200 ml 4 hrly using microvolume set is:

IGNOU PB Bsc Nsg.Entrance-2026

Nursing Foundation

Hard

Appeared in: IGNOU PB Bsc Nsg.Entrance-2026

Explanation

The standard formula to calculate the IV drip rate is: (Total Volume in mL × Drop Factor in gtt/mL) / Total Time in minutes.
The values from the question are: Total Volume = 200 mL, Total Time = 4 hours (240 minutes), and the IV set is a 'microvolume' or microdrip set.
A microdrip set has a standard drop factor of 60 drops (gtt) per mL.
Plugging the values into the formula: (200 mL × 60 gtt/mL) / 240 min = 12000 / 240 = 50 gtt/minute.
A clinical shortcut for microdrip sets is that the flow rate in mL/hour is numerically equal to the drop rate in gtt/minute. Here, 200 mL / 4 hours = 50 mL/hr, so the drop rate is 50 gtt/min.

Option A: This is an incorrect calculation. It may result from a mathematical error or using incorrect values in the formula.
Option C: This value represents the drop factor of the microdrip set (60 gtt/mL), not the calculated drop rate for this specific infusion order. It's a common error to confuse the drop factor with the final drop rate.
Option D: This is an incorrect calculation, likely resulting from a simple mathematical error.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain IV fluid drip rate calculation for a microdrip set as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Accurate IV drip rate calculation is a fundamental nursing skill crucial for patient safety, preventing complications like fluid overload (hypervolemia) or under-hydration.
Using a microdrip set is the standard of care for pediatric patients, the elderly, and when administering potent medications (like inotropes) that require precise, slow infusion rates to avoid adverse effects.
What if? If a macrodrip set with a drop factor of 15 gtt/mL was used by mistake, the rate would be significantly different and lead to underdosing: (200 mL × 15 gtt/mL) / 240 min = 12.5 or ~13 drops/minute. This highlights the importance of selecting the correct IV set.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the question type as a drug/fluid calculation problem.
Next, extract the key variables from the stem: Total Volume (200 mL), Total Time (4 hours), and IV Set Type ('microvolume').
Recall the standard drop factor for the specified set. A 'microvolume' or 'microdrip' set always has a drop factor of 60 gtt/mL.
Remember the formula for calculating drip rates: Drop Rate = (Total Volume in mL × Drop Factor) / Total Time in minutes.
Convert the time from hours to minutes before calculating: 4 hours × 60 = 240 minutes.
Substitute the values into the formula and solve: (200 × 60) / 240 = 50. Finally, match your result to the given options.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Pharmacology Nurses Shanbhag 3e p. 54-56

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 799-801