Pediatric ATI Practice Exam

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How many drops per minute should a nurse set for an IV of 0.9% sodium chloride at 100 mL to infuse over 4 hours with a drop factor of 60 gtt/mL?

15 gtt/min
20 gtt/min
25 gtt/min
30 gtt/min

The correct answer is: 25 gtt/min

To determine the correct IV flow rate in drops per minute, it’s essential to apply the appropriate formula. The formula to calculate the flow rate in drops per minute is: Flow rate (gtt/min) = Total volume (mL) x Drop factor (gtt/mL) / Time (min). In this scenario, the total volume is 100 mL, the drop factor is 60 gtt/mL, and the infusion time is 4 hours. First, convert the hours into minutes, knowing that 4 hours equals 240 minutes. Now plug the values into the formula: Flow rate (gtt/min) = 100 mL x 60 gtt/mL / 240 min. Performing the math gives: Flow rate (gtt/min) = 6000 gtt / 240 min = 25 gtt/min. This calculation confirms that the correct number of drops per minute a nurse should set for the IV to run correctly is 25 gtt/min. This answer aligns with the understanding of how IV flow rates are calculated, ensuring accurate medication administration over a set period.