A feeding line has a drop factor of 20 gtt/mL and is infusing at 60 mL/hr. What is the rate in gtt/min?

A feeding line has a drop factor of 20 gtt/mL and is infusing at 60 mL/hr. What is the rate in gtt/min?

• A. 10 gtt/min
• B. 15 gtt/min
• C. 25 gtt/min
• D. 20 gtt/min

Answer: (D)

Converting IV flow from mL per hour to drops per minute uses the drop factor and the 60 minutes in an hour. Multiply the infusion rate by the drop factor to get drops per hour, then divide by 60 to get drops per minute. Here: 60 mL/hr × 20 gtt/mL = 1200 gtt/hr. Then 1200 gtt/hr ÷ 60 min/hr = 20 gtt/min. So the rate is 20 gtt/min. The general formula is rate (gtt/min) = mL/hr × drop factor (gtt/mL) ÷ 60.

Converting IV flow from mL per hour to drops per minute uses the drop factor and the 60 minutes in an hour. Multiply the infusion rate by the drop factor to get drops per hour, then divide by 60 to get drops per minute. Here: 60 mL/hr × 20 gtt/mL = 1200 gtt/hr. Then 1200 gtt/hr ÷ 60 min/hr = 20 gtt/min. So the rate is 20 gtt/min. The general formula is rate (gtt/min) = mL/hr × drop factor (gtt/mL) ÷ 60.