Infuse 1200 mL over 24 hours with a drop set delivering 15 drops/mL. What is the required drip rate, in drops per minute?

Infuse 1200 mL over 24 hours with a drop set delivering 15 drops/mL. What is the required drip rate, in drops per minute?

• A. 12 gtt/min
• B. 13 gtt/min
• C. 15 gtt/min
• D. 14 gtt/min

Answer: (B)

To find the drip rate, convert the infusion into drops per minute using the relation: rate = (volume in mL × drop factor in gtt/mL) ÷ time in minutes. Calculate the total drops: 1200 mL × 15 gtt/mL = 18,000 drops. Convert the time: 24 hours = 24 × 60 = 1,440 minutes. Now divide: 18,000 drops ÷ 1,440 minutes = 12.5 drops per minute. Drops per minute must be a whole number, so round to the nearest whole drop. That gives 13 drops per minute.

To find the drip rate, convert the infusion into drops per minute using the relation: rate = (volume in mL × drop factor in gtt/mL) ÷ time in minutes.

Calculate the total drops: 1200 mL × 15 gtt/mL = 18,000 drops.

Convert the time: 24 hours = 24 × 60 = 1,440 minutes.

Now divide: 18,000 drops ÷ 1,440 minutes = 12.5 drops per minute.

Drops per minute must be a whole number, so round to the nearest whole drop. That gives 13 drops per minute.