ADVANCED IV METROLOGY

Self-Learning Module

TOPIC PAGE

IV Flow Rates (review) 2-5

Timing IV Push Medications 5-7
Continuous Medicated IV Infusions 8-10
Titrating Heparin Infusions 10-12
Advanced/Critical Care Infusions 12-14
Pediatric Doses (pp 14-16, #’s1-10 for review) 14-16
Answer Key 17

ADVANCED IV METROLOGY

CALCULATING IV FLOW RATES – ML/HR

Electronically Regulated Flow Rates are calculated in ml/hr. The nurse programs the infusion
device to deliver the ordered solution in milliliters per hour (ml/hr)

Spring 2010
 Formula for calculating ml/hr:

TV (ml) = ml/hr OR TV (ml) X 60 (min) = ml/hr

TT (hr) TT (min)

TV = total VOLUME to be infused in ml

TT = total TIME of infusion

EXAMPLES
1. Infuse 250ml over 2 hours *3. Infuse 75ml in 30 minutes (IVPB)

250ml = 125ml/hr 75ml X 60 = 150ml/hr

2hr 30min

2. Infuse 2L over 4 hours *4. Infuse 100ml in 20 minutes (IVPB)

2000ml = 500ml/hr 100ml X 60 = 300ml/hr

4hr 20min

*IVPBs (often < 1 hr infusion)

PRACTICE PROBLEMS – Electronically Regulated Flow Rates

Calculate the IV flow rate in ml/hr for each of the following problems:

1. Infuse 1.5 liters of NS over 3 hours

*2. Unasyn 0.5gm in 75ml D5W IVPB to infuse over 20 minutes

*3. Zantac 50mg in 100ml NS to infuse over 30 minutes

4. Infuse 500ml LR over 2 hours

*5. Ancef 1gm in 100ml D5W IVPB to infuse in 45 minutes

6. Infuse 1200ml D51/2NS in 6 hours

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 7. Infuse 250ml packed red blood cells in 4 hours

8. Infuse 1 liter D5LR over 8 hours

*9. Carbenicillin disodium 2 g IVPB diluted in 50ml D5W to infuse in 15 minutes

*10. 50ml drug “X” to infuse in 20 minutes

CALCULATING IV FLOW RATES – DROPS/MINUTE (gtt/min)

Manually Regulated Flow Rates are calculated in drops/minute. The nurse calculates the
number of drops the IV should flow per minute according to the ordered infusion time. The drip
rate (gtt/min) is then set by adjusting the roller clamp and timed by counting the number of drops
dripping per minute into the IV drip chamber.

The IV solution may be a continuous infusion or an intermittent/bolus infusion.

Formula for calculating gtt/min:

D X V = gtt/min
M

D = DROP factor of tubing (gtt/ml)

M = Time of infusion in MINUTES
V = Total VOLUME to be infused in ml

EXAMPLES
1. Order is to infuse D5NS at 125ml/hr. The drop factor is 15gtt/ml

15 X 125 = 31.25 or 31gtt/min

60

2. Order is to infuse LR at 150ml/hr. The drop factor is 10gtt/ml

10 X 150 = 25gtt/min
60

3. Infuse 1L NS over 4 hours. The drop factor is10gtt/ml

10 X 250 = 41.66 or 42gtt/min

60

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4. Order is to infuse 200ml 0.9% NaCl over 2 hours. The drop factor is 20gtt/ml.

20 X 100 = 33.33 or 33gtt/min

60

*IVPBs (often < 1 hr infusion)

*5. Order is for Clindamycin 600mg in 100ml D5W to infuse in 30 minutes. Drop factor is
20gtt/ml.

20 X 100 = 66.66 or 67gtt/min

30

*6. Order is to infuse IVPB “X” in 30 minutes. The bag contains 50ml; the drop factor is
10gtt/ml.

10 X 50 = 16.66 or 17gtt/min
30

PRACTICE PROBLEMS – Manually Regulated Flow Rates

Calculate the IV flow rate in gtt/min for each of the following problems:

1. Infuse 1L NS bolus IV over 2 hours. Drop factor of tubing is 20gtt/ml.

2 Infuse 1000ml of lactated ringers IV in 6 hours with a 10gtt/ml

administration set.

*3. Order is for Ancef 2gm IVPB diluted in 100ml D5W to infuse in 45 minutes.
Drop factor of the tubing is 15gtt/cc

*4. Order is for Zosyn 3gm in 100ml D5W to be infused in 40 minutes. Drop factor is 10gtt/ml.
How many drops/minutes do you infuse the IVPB?

*5. Order is for carbenicillin disodium 2gm IVPB diluted in 50ml D5W to infuse in
30 minutes. Drop factor is 60gtt/ml.

6. Order is for 800ml 5% glucose in water to infuse in 4 hours. Drop factor is 15gtt/ml.

7. Order is for D51/2NS with 20meqKCL/liter to infuse at 100ml/hr. Drop factor is 10gtt/ml.

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*8. Order is for Unasyn 1.5gm in 100ml D5W IV to be infused in 20 minutes. Drop factor is
20gtt/ml.

*9. Keflin 750mg in 200ml NS is ordered to be infused in 45 minutes. Drop factor is 15gtt/ml.

10. Order is D5NS at 150ml/hr. Drop factor is 15gtt/ml.

Timing IV Push Medications

The direct IV push method of medication administration is used to give small amounts of diluted or
undiluted medication over a brief period of time (seconds or minutes).

Before pushing any medications, verify safe dose limits, rates of flow, dilutions, compatible
solutions and routes. Monitor patient response during and after administration.

Example: Order is for 80mg Lasix IV now. On hand is a 10mg/ml vial of Lasix. Drug reference
states each 40mg of Lasix is to be given over 1 minute.

1. Calculate the volume of medication is to be given (ml):

Ratio Proportion Method

10mg : 1ml : : 80mg : Xml

10X = 80
X = 8ml

Formula Method

80mg X 1ml = 8ml

10mg

Dimensional Analysis Method

80mg X 1ml = 8ml

10mg

2. Calculate total time to administer medication, based on drug reference:

Ratio Proportion Method

40mg : 1min : : 80mg : Xmin

40X = 80
X = 2min

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 Formula Method

80mg X 1min = 2min

40mg

Dimensional Analysis Method

80mg X 1min = 2min

40mg

2. Calculate administration time in ml/min: Think: TV(ml) ml/min

TT(min)

8ml = 4ml/min
2min

PRACTICE PROBLEMS – Timing IV Push Medications

1. Order is for Dilantin 100mg IV push now. On hand is Dilantin 250mg/5ml. Drug reference
states to administer IV Dilantin no faster than 50mg/min.
How many ml do you give?

How many minutes will it take to give the Dilantin?

How many ml will you give each minute?

2. Order is for Morphine Sulfate 15mg IV push now. On hand is Morphine Sulfate 10mg/1ml.
Drug reference states to give the medication no faster than 2.5mg/min.
How many ml Morphine do you give?

How many minutes will it take to give the Morphine?

How many ml will you give each minute?

3. Order is for Digoxin 0.25mg IV now. Available is an ampule of Digoxin 500mcg/2ml. The drug
reference states to administer a single dose over 5 minutes.
How many ml do you give?

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 How many minutes will it take to give the dose?

How many ml will you give each minute?

4. Order is for Valium 7.5mg IV now. Available is Valium 10mg/2ml. Drug reference states to
administer each 5mg over 1 minute.
How many ml of Valium will you give?

How many minutes will it take to give the dose?

How many ml will you give each minute?

5. Order is for protamine sulfate 50 mg IV stat. Available is protamine sulfate 50mg/10ml. Rate
of infusion is not to exceed 5mg/min.
How many ml of protamine sulfate will you administer?

How many minutes will it take to give the dose?

How fast will you push the medication (ml/min)?

CONTINUOUS MEDICATED IV INFUSIONS

Calculating Hourly IV Doses and Rates

1. Drug “on hand” or “available” is the concentration of the IV medication bag (1gm aminophylline
in 500ml D5W or 25,000units heparin in 500ml D5W)
2. “Dose desired” or what “doctor ordered” is the hourly dose (i.e., drug order is for 50mcg/hr,
25mg/hr; 2g/hr) OR the hourly rate (ml/hr) that is infusing
3. Calculate hourly dose, if not already ordered this way
4. Convert units of measure, as needed, to plug into math formula

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EXAMPLES

1. Patient has 1gm Aminophylline in 500ml D5W hanging. The order is to infuse 40mg/hr.
At what rate would you set the IV pump?

Ratio Proportion Method

1000mg : 500ml : : 40mg : Xml

1000X = 20,000
X = 20ml/hr

Formula Method

40mg X 500ml = 20ml/hr

1000mg

Dimensional Analysis Method

40mg X 500ml = 20ml/hr

1hr 1000mg

2. A Heparin drip is prepared by pharmacy and contains 20,000units heparin in 500ml

0.9%NaCl. The order is to infuse @ 1200units/hr. At what rate would you set the
infusion pump?

Ratio Proportion Method

20,000units : 500ml : : 1200units : Xml

20,000X = 600,000
X = 30ml/hr

Formula Method

1200units X 500ml = 30ml/hr

20,000units

Dimensional Analysis Method

1200units X 500ml = 30ml/hr

1hr 20,000units

3. The Aminophylline drip contains 1g in 500ml D5W. The infusion pump is delivering
20ml/hr. How much Aminophylline is the patient receiving per hour?

Ratio Proportion Method

1000mg : 500ml : : Xmg : 20ml

500X = 20,000
X = 40mg/hr

Formula Method

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20ml X 1000mg = 40mg/hr
500ml

Dimensional Analysis Method

20ml X 1000mg = 40mg/hr

1hr 500ml

4. The Heparin drip contains 20,000U in 500ml 0.9% NaCl. The infusion pump is delivering
30ml/hr. How much Heparin is the patient receiving per hour?

Ratio Proportion Method

20,000units : 500ml : : Xunits : 30ml

500X = 600,000
X = 1200units/hr

Formula Method

30ml X 20,000units = 1200units/hr

500ml

Dimensional Analysis Method

30ml X 20,000units = 1200units/hr

1hr 500ml
PRACTICE PROBLEMS – Continuous Medicated IV Infusions

1. Patient has 20,000units of heparin in 500ml D5W hanging. The order is to infuse
1400units/hr. At what rate would you set the IV pump?

2. Order reads to mix 2gm Drug X with 500ml NS and infuse at 80mg/hr. At what rate do you
set the pump?

3. Ordered is an Aminophylline drip at 30mg/hr. Infusion bag contains 1gm Aminophylline/500cc

D5W. How fast is the infusion running/hr?

4. Order reads D51/2NS with 20mEq KCL/liter @ 150ml/hr. How much KCL is the patient
receiving each hour?

5. The patient has a morphine drip for pain. The IV bag contains morphine 75mg/150ml. The
Infusion is running at 6ml/hr. How much morphine is the patient receiving each hour?

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6. The patient has a magnesium sulfate drip hanging. The bag contains MgSO 4 40g/500ml LR.
The IV is infusing at 13ml/hr. How much magnesium is the patient receiving each hour?

TITRATING A HEPARIN INFUSION

EXAMPLE
Patient is to have a heparin drip. Order is to start the infusion at 18units/kg/hr. The patient
weighs 198lbs. The pharmacy has prepared a bag with 20,000units of heparin in 500ml D5W. At
what rate do you set the pump?

Calculate kg weight: 198  2.2 = 90

Calculate hourly dose: (18)(90) = 1620units/hr

Ratio Proportion Method

20,000units : 500ml : : 1620units : Xml

20,000X = 810,000
X = 40.5ml/hr or 41ml/hr

Formula Method

1620units X 500ml = 40.5ml/hr or 41ml/hr

20,000U

Dimensional Analysis Method

1620units X 500ml = 40.5ml/hr or 41ml/hr

1hr 20,000untis

PRACTICE PROBLEMS – Titrating a Heparin Infusion

1. Heparin Sliding Scale: PTT q 4 hours after start of heparin drip

a. IV heparin infusion at 17units/kg/hr, rounded to nearest unit
b. Adjust heparin to keep PTT 70-90 seconds
c. If PTT 45-69, increase drip by 100units/hr
d. If PTT 35-44, give 1000units heparin bolus, increase drip by 100 units/hr
e. If PTT < 35, give 2000units heparin bolus, increase drip by 200units/hr
f. If PTT < 45, on two consecutive occasions, call physician
g. If PTT 95-100, reduce heparin drip by 100units/hr
h. If PTT 111-119, stop heparin for one hour; restart at 100units/hr less than

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 previous rate
i. If PTT > 120, call physician

The heparin solution is prepared in the pharmacy. The label reads 25,000units heparin in 500ml
D5W. The patient weighs 132 lbs.

a. _______ Calculate the patient’s kg weight.

b. _______ Calculate the hourly dose of Heparin.

c. _______ After calculating the dose of heparin for this patient, at what rate do you set the
pump to deliver the ordered dose?

d. _______ Four hours later, the PTT is 33. What action do you take? What is the new rate
_______ per hour?

e. _______ Four hours later the PTT is 43. What action do you take? What is the new rate per
_______ hour?

2. Heparin Sliding Scale: PTT q 4 hours after start of heparin drip

a. IV heparin infusion at 18units/kg/hr, rounded to nearest unit
b. Adjust heparin to keep PTT 70-90 seconds
c. If PTT 45-69, increase drip by 100units/hr
d. If PTT 35-44, give 1000units heparin bolus, increase drip by 100units/hr
e. If PTT < 35, give 2000units heparin bolus, increase drip by 200units/hr
f. If PTT < 45, on two consecutive occasions, call physician
g. If PTT 95-100, reduce heparin drip by 100units/hr
h. If PTT 111-119, stop heparin for one hour; restart at 100units/hr less than
previous rate
i. If PTT > 120, call physician

The heparin solution is prepared in the pharmacy. The label reads 25,000units heparin in 250ml
D5W. The patient weighs 143 lbs.

a. ________ Calculate the patient’s kg weight.

b. _______ Calculate the hourly dose of heparin.

c. ________ After calculating the dose of heparin for this patient, at what rate do you set the
pump to deliver the ordered dose?

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d. _______ Four hours later, the PTT is 42. What action do you take? What is the new rate/hr?
_______

e. _______ Four hours later, the PTT is 60. What action do you take? What is the new rate/hr?
_______

Advanced/Critical Care IV Infusions

EXAMPLES
1. Mr. Johnson is receiving a NTG drip at 25mcg/min. Concentration is 50mg NTG/250ml. At
how many ml/hr will the IV infuse?

Calculate hourly dose = (25)(60)

= 1500mcg/hr

Convert mcg to mg: 1500mcg = 1.5mg

Ratio Proportion Method

50mg : 250ml : : 1.5mg : Xml

50X = 375
X = 7.5 or 8ml/hr

Formula Method

1.5mg X 250ml = 7.5ml/hr or 8ml/hr

50mg

Dimensional Analysis Method

1.5mg X 250ml = 7.5 or 8ml/hr

1hr 50mg

2. Order is for Nipride (50mg/250ml) to infuse at 2mcg/kg/min. Pt weighs 154lbs.

Calculate kg weight: 154  2.2 = 70kg

Calculate hourly dose: (2)(70)(60) = 8400mcg/hr
Convert mcg to mg: 8400mcg = 8.4mg

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Ratio Proportion Method

50mg : 250ml : : 8.4mg : Xml

50X = 2100
X = 42ml/hr

Formula Method

8.4mg X 250ml = 42ml/hr

50mg

Dimensional Analysis Method

8.4mg X 250ml = 42ml/hr

1hr 50mg

PRACTICE PROBLEMS – Advanced/Critical Care IV Infusions

1. _____ Isuprel, add 1mg to 500ml of IV fluid and run at 7mcg/min. How fast will the IV run?

2. _____ Available is 10units Pitocin in 1000cc LR. Ordered infusion is 1mu/min. How many
ml are ordered per hour? Remember 1unit = 1000milliunits (mu)

3. _____ Order is for Nipride 50mg/250cc. Infuse at 5mcg/kg/min (patient weight is 110lbs).
How many ml/hr will this be?

4. ______ A standard dopamine drip, 800mg/500ml D5W, is available. The order is to deliver
10mcg/kg/min. The patient weighs 80kg. At what rate will you set the pump?

5. ______ A patient will undergo a labor induction with Pitocin. Available is 10units Pitocin in
1000ml LR. Ordered infusion is 3mu/min. How many ml are ordered per hour

6. ______ Levophed, add 4mg to 500ml. Infuse at 6mcg/min. At what rate ml/hr will this IV
run?

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7. _______ The order is for Esmolol 100mcg/kg/min. The bag is mixed with 5g
Esmolol/500ml of D5LR. The patient weighs 143 pounds. How fast should the IV
be running?

8. _______ The pharmacy prepares a Lidocaine drip with 2g Lidocaine/250ml D5W. The
orders are to infuse the Lidocaine at 3mg/min. At what rate do you set the IV pump?

CALCULATING PEDIATRIC SAFE DOSE RANGES

Convert Weight from Pounds to Kilograms

Example: total weight is 12 lbs 8 oz

1. Convert ounces to pounds by dividing ounces by 16

8 oz  16 oz = 0.5 lb

2. Divide total pounds (to the nearest hundreth) by 2.2

Total pounds = 12 lbs + 0.5 lbs = 12.5 lbs

12.5  2.2 = 5.681 or 5.68 kg

Calculate Safe Dose Ranges (SDR)

Example: SDR is 30-100mg/kg/day in four divided doses

Ordered dose is 150mg q 6hr

1. low range calculation: 5.68 x 30mg = 170.4 = 170mg/day

high range calculation: 5.68 x 100mg = 568mg/day

SDR = 170-568 mg/day

2. evaluate appropriateness of ordered dose:

150mg x 4 doses/day = 600mg/day

3. decision: ordered dose is not within SDR, hold and clarify

Convert the following weights from pounds to kilograms:

1. _____ 8lb 3. _____ 4lb, 6oz

2. _____ 5lb, 8oz 4. _____ 18lb, 9oz

5. Weight = 25lbs, 6oz

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 SDR reference: 10-30mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses
Order is for 100mg q 8hrs; is this a safe dose?

6. Weight = 33lb
SDR reference: 100-200mcg/kg/day in 4 divided doses
Order is for 0.9mg q6hrs; is this a safe dose?

7a)_______ The order is for Ampicillin 700mg IV q12 hrs

b)_______ Reference: Ampicillin 150-200mg/kg/day. Child weighs 17lbs 7oz.

a) What is the safe dose range for this child?

b) Available is Ampicillin 1g. Instructions for reconstitution state to add

2.6ml sterile water for a yielding concentration of 250mg/ml. How many ml of
the reconstituted medication would you draw up?

8a)_______ The order is for Rocephin 600mg IV QD

b)_______ Reference: Rocephin 50-75mg/kg/24hrs, not to exceed 2g/day. Child
weighs 18lbs 9oz.

a. What is the safe dose range of the drug for this child?

b. On hand you have Rocephin 1g. Instructions state to dilute with 2.3ml of
sterile water for a total volume of 1g/2.8ml. How many ml of the reconstituted
medication will you draw up?

9a)________ Order: Rocephin 600mg IM x 1

b)________ Reference: Rocephin 50-75mg/kg/24hr, not it exceed 2gm/day.

Child weighs 19lbs, 8oz. On hand is Rocephin 1g. Instructions for reconstitution
state to dilute with 2.4ml sterile water to yield a concentration of 1g/2.5ml.
a. Is this a safe dose?

b. If this is a safe dose, how many ml will you administer?

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10a. ______ Ordered is ampicillin sodium 100mg IV q6hr. The SDR is 50-100mg/kg/day in 4 divided
b. ______ doses. The child weighs 12 lb 8 oz. Available is ampicillin 2g/100ml.
c. ______ a. What is the SDR for this child?

b. Is the ordered dose safe?

c. How much do you give, if safe dose?

11a. ______ The order reads Rocephin 700mg IV q12hr. The child weighs 31 lb. The SDR is 75-
b. ______ 100mg/kg/day in 2 divided doses. Available is Rocephin 1g in powdered form. Directions for
c. ______ reconstitution state add 9.6ml sterile water for injection to equal 100mg/ml. Further dilute to
d. ______ 30ml with a compatible solution in a volume-control device and give over 30minutes.
a. What is the SDR for this child?

b. Is the ordered dose safe?

c. How many ml of the reconstituted Rocephin do you draw up and add to the volume-
control device? How many ml of the compatible IV solution do you further dilute with?

d. What is the rate of infusion, if safe dose?

Advanced IV Metrology Answer Key

Electronically Regulated Flow Rates (ml/hr) 2a. 65kg
1. 500ml/hr b. 1170units
2. 225ml/hr c. 12ml/hr
3. 200ml/hr d. 1000units bolus; gtt by 100Uunitshr; 13ml/hr
4. 250ml/hr e. gtt by 100units/hr; 14ml/hr
5. 133ml/hr Advanced/Critical Care IV Infusions
6. 200ml/hr 1. 210ml/hr
7. 63ml/hr 2. 6ml/hr

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8. 125ml/hr 3. 75ml/hr
9. 200ml/hr 4. 30ml/hr
10. 150ml/hr 5. 18ml/hr
Manually Regulated Flow Rates (gtt/min) 6. 45ml/hr
1. 167gtts/min 7. 39ml/hr
2. 28gtts/min 8. 23ml/hr
3. 33gtt/min Pediatric Doses
4. 25gtts/min 1. 3.64kg
5.100gtt/min 2. 2.5kg
6. 50gtt/min 3. 1.99kg
7. 17gtt/min 4. 8.44kg
8. 100gtt/min 5. Yes: SDR=115-346mg/day (300mg/day ordered)
9 67gtt/min 6. No: SDR=1500-3000mcg/day (3600mcg/day ordered)
10. 38gtt/min 7a. 1190-1586mg/day (Safe:1400mg/day ordered)
Timing IV Push Medications b. 2.8ml
1. 2ml; 2min; 1ml/min 8a. 422-633mg/24hrs (Safe: 600mg/day ordered)
2. 1.5ml; 6min; 0.25ml/min b. 1.7ml
3. 1ml; 5min (per drug reference); 0.2ml/min 9a. Yes: SDR=443-665mg/24hr (600mg dose ordered)
4. 1.5ml; 1.5min; 1ml/min b. 1.5ml
5. 10ml; 10min; 1ml/min 10a. 284-568mg/day
Continuous Medicated IV Infusions b. Yes (400mg/day ordered)
1. 35ml/hr c. 5ml
2. 20ml/hr 11a. 1057-1409mg/day
3. 15ml/hr b. Yes (1400mg/day ordered)
4. 3mEq/hr c. 7ml; 23ml
5. 3mg/hr d. 60ml/hr
6. 1g/hr 12a. 250-500mg q 6hrs (up to 1000-2000mg/day)
Titrating Heparin Infusions b. Yes: 400mg q 6hrs (1600mg/day) is ordered
1a. 60kg c. 4ml; 16ml
b. 1020units d. 40ml/hr
c. 20ml/hr
d. 2000units bolus; gtt by 200units/hr; 24ml/hr
e. 1000units bolus; gtt by 100units/hr; call MD; 26ml/hr

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