HCC STUDENT GUIDE TO CALCULATING IV RATES

A. WITHOUT PUMP
1. Primary Bag
a. Volume to be infused (VTBI) x Drop factor (DF)
Time (minutes)
Example: 1000 ml x 15 = 31 gtts/min
480 minutes

b. ml/hr x DF
60
Example: 125 ml x 15 = 31 gtts/min
60

2. IVPB – Medication bag

a. VTBI x DF
Time (minutes)
Example: 50 ml x 15 = 25 gtts/min
30 minutes

b. If not indicated on the bag, 50 ml infuses in 30 minutes,

100 ml infuses in 60 minutes.

B. USING THE PLUM A+ INFUSION PUMP (must be programmed in ml/hr)

1. Primary Bag
a. VTBI
Number of hours to be infused
Example: 1000 ml = 125 ml/hr
8

2. Secondary – Syringe
a. 60 x VTBI
# minutes
Example: 60__ x 20 ml = 60 ml/hr
20 min.
3. Secondary – Medication Bag
a. 60 x VTBI
# minutes

Example: 60___ x 50 = 100 ml/hr

30 min.

C. SYRINGE PUMP – You do not need to calculate the rate.