IV INFUSION RATE CALCULATIONS

 Calculating ml/hr

  Formula: 

Volume (mL) 
Time (hr)   =  Y (Flow Rate in mL/hr) 
 
 
Example: Infuse 500mL over the next 3 hours by infusion pump. 

Volume
(mL)   =  Y (Flow Rate in mL/hr) 
Time (hr) 
 
 
500
mL 
 =  167mL/hr 
3 hr 
 
 
 
 
Example: Ordered 2L D5W IV to infuse in 10 hours by infusion pump. 

Volume (mL)   
Time (hr)   =  Y (Flow Rate in mL/hr) 
 
 
  
 
*Convert 2 L into mL. Remember from the metric table that 1L=1000ml, therefore,
2L is 2000mL. 
 
 
 
 
2000
mL 
 =  200mL/hr 
10 hr 
 

  Calculating gtts/min
Formula
_____________________________________________________________
 
 Drops per min =     volume (ml)   x  gtts/min 
                                        hours                    60         
 _____________________________________________________________ 

EXAMPLE  #1

  
You have an order for 1000 mL D5½ NS IV to be infused over 8 hours. You will use a
drip set that delivers 15 gtts/min.  

   
Calculate: 
1000 mL x 15 gtts/min
  8 hrs             60 mins 

   
15000 = 31.25 gtts/min 
  480  

 
Answer: 
31 gtts/min

 
EXAMPLE  #2
 
A patient is receiving 250 mL normal saline IV over 4 hours, using tubing with a drip
factor of 10 drops/mL. How many drops per minute should be delivered? 
 
 
Calculate: 
250 mL x 10 gtts/min
  4 hrs  60 mins
  
  
2500 = 10.42 gtts/min 
240  
 
Answer: 
10 gtts/min
 IV INFUSION RATE CALCULATION PRACTICE QUESTIONS:
 1. What is the rate of delivery (ml/hr) where 800 ml is delivered intravenously over 5
hours?

2. A patient with fluid volume deficit needs 1,500 mL of saline IV over 4 hours. How
many milliliters per hour will you set on the pump?

3. The doctor's order says: 2 Liters of TPN to infuse over 36 hours. What is the
hourly rate (ml/hr)?

4. The doctor’s order says: 5000 ml of IV solution to run over a 24 hour period. The
drop factor of the I.V tubing is 15 gtts/ml. You would infuse _____gtts/min.

5. The doctor's order says: Infuse 1000 mL of Lactated Ringer's over 8 hours. Drop
factor: 20 gtt/ml. You would infuse _____gtts/min.

Reference:

Tecmath. (2013, March 6). IV rate calculations for nurses - dosage calculations [Video].
YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dezgx_WWEdI