Volume/Time - IV Drop Rate Questions

Given a certain amount of liquid, a time period, and a drop factor (gtts/mL), what is the necessary IV flow rate in gtts/min? Measurement used when IV is regulated manually. Because it is not possible to give a patient a fraction of a drop, it is typical to round answers for these problems up or down to the nearest whole number.

Formula:
Volume (mL)
Time (min)
x Drop Factor (gtts/mL)  =  Y (Flow Rate in gtts/min)

Example: Calculate the IV flow rate for 1200 mL of NS to be infused in 6 hours. The infusion set is calibrated for a drop factor of 15 gtts/mL.
Volume (mL)
Time (min)
x Drop Factor (gtts/mL)  =  Y (Flow Rate in gtts/min)
Convert 6 hours to minutes.
  • min ← hr    ( x by 60 )
  • 6 hr x 60 = 360 min
1200 mL
360 min
x 15 gtts/mL  =  50 gtts/min

Example: Calculate the IV flow rate for 200 mL of 0.9% NaCl IV over 120 minutes. Infusion set has drop factor of 20 gtts/mL.
Volume (mL)
Time (min)
x Drop Factor (gtts/mL)  =  Y (Flow Rate in gtts/min)
200 mL
120 min
x 20 gtts/mL  =  33 gtts/min



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