IV drip rates
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Dosage 101
When calculating how many hours or how
long the infusion will run there is no need for
a drop factor.
When calculating gtt/ min you will need the
drop factor.
Basic formula for Tablets / Capsules
Dose
-------- x supply
Have
mL l/ hr
Total amount to be infused
------------------------------------How many hours for the infusion to run
Example : HCP orders lorazepam 50 mg / day
po. The pharmacy has it available in 100 mg
tablets. How many tabs would you administer?
Example
Infuse 500mL over the next 120 minutes by infusion pump.
50mg
------ X Tablets = 0.5 tablets or ½ of a
tablet.
100 mg
500mL
--------- = 250 mL/ Hr
120min / 60
( 2hr)
Pediatric doses
mL/ min
Total to be infused
--------------------------x gtt factor
Hours x 60
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Iv rate in Hr/ volume
amount/Hr
------------ x volume
On hand
Example
Give patient 400 mg of vancomycin in 300 mL of D5W to
infuse at 10 mg/hr. Calculate the flow rate in mL/hr.
10 mg/hr
--------x300mL = 7.5 mL/ hr
400mg
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Example
Calculate the IV flow rate for 1500 mL of NS to be infused in 7
hours. The infusion set is calibrated for a drop factor of 20
gtts/mL.
1500mL
--------- x 20 gtt/Ml = 71.4 gtt/ min Rounded to 71
gtt/min
7 x 60 min
( 420)
8-9
Pediatric doses are based on
body weight in Kg.
To convert pounds to Kg divide
by 2.2
Weight per Kg x dose per Kg =
amount to be administered.
You use this same formula for safe dose
range.
Example:
The HCP orders 250 mg of meropenem
to be taken by a infant weighing 15.7
pounds, every 8 hours. The medication
label shows that 75-150 mg/kg per day
is the appropriate dosage range. Is this
order within the safe dose range for this
medication?
15.7/2.2= 7.13 kg.
150mg x 7.13 = 1,069.5 safe per day
75 mg x 7.13 = 534.75 safe per day
24 hrs/8= 3 doses / day
250mg x 3 doses = 750 mg/ day
This is within safe dose range.