This document provides information on intravenous fluid dosage calculations and flow rates. It discusses tubing calibrations for macro and micro sets. Formulas are provided for calculating IV flow rates in cc/hr and gtts/min. Examples are given for common IV problems involving calculating drip rates based on volume, time, and set calibration. Critical care drug calculations are also demonstrated, converting between units as needed to determine IV flow rates in cc/hr. The importance of using an IV pump for critical care drugs is emphasized.

1. DOSAGE
CALCULATIONS
PART 2
1

2. 2
1
Intravenous Fluids

3. 32
TUBING CALIBRATIONS
MACRO
TUBING
10 gtt / cc
15 gtt / cc
20 gtt / cc
printed
on
Package
Called
Set
calibration
•You MUST know that a
microdrip or microdrop set or
minidrip or minidrop set always
= 60gtts/cc.
MICRO TUBING = 60 gtts / cc

4. 4
3
IV Flow
Rates
Expressed: cc/hr and
gtt/min
1. Find the cc/hr flow
rate
2. Find the gtts/min flow
rate

5. 5
MEMORIZE FORMULA
VOLUME ÷ TIME = CC/HR.
(in cc) (in hrs)

6. 6
IV Flow Rates
Examples cc/hr.
#1 Order: LR 1000cc over 8 hrs
(Vol) 1000 ÷ 8 (time) =
125 cc/hr.
Use whole # for drip rates
#2 Order: NS 500cc over 12 hrs
500 ÷ 12 = 41.6
= 42 cc/hr
Use whole # for flow rates

7. • Example: gtts./min.
• Memorize formula:
• cc/hr. x gtt factor
60 min.
#1.
• 125cc/hr , set calibration or drop factor is 15
gtt/cc
• 125 x 15 = 31.25 or
60 31 gtts./min.
7
IV FLOW RATES

8. 8
COMMON IV
PROBLEM # 1
Order
1L D5LR Over 8 hrs.
set calibration is
20 gtts./cc
Find
1. cc/hr.
2. gtts/min.

9. 9
1) 1000cc ÷ 8O
’s = 125cc/hr
2) 125cc x 20 gtt/cc
60 min
= 41.6 gtt/min or 42 gtt/min

10. Common IV problem
# 2
• Order: 500cc of D5W over 24hrs. Use a
mini/micro dripper .
• 1. Find cc/hr
• 2. Find gtts/min.
10

11. Answer
500 ÷ 24 = 20.83 or 21
cc/hr
21 x 60 = 21 gtts/min.
60
cc/hr = gtts/min.
11

12. 12
IV FLOW RATES
• ANYTIME YOU HAVE A SET
CALIBRATION OF
60 gtts / cc
Also called drip factor/drop factor, as you do
with a mini/micro dripper
cc/hr.= gtts/min.

13. 13
Example: Time < 1 hour
Order
Ampicillin 250 mg/30 cc
over 30 mins
Ignore extraneous info
like medication /dose
VOLUME ONLY
Set calibration: 15gtt/cc
30cc x 15gtt/cc =
30 min
15 gtt/min

14. Example 2, Piggy back medications
• 1 g of Methicillin in 50cc to run over
30 minutes
• Using a micro dripper, how many
drops per minute should IV run?
14

15. Example 2
50 cc x 60 =
30 min.
100 gtts/min
15

16. 16
33
Infusion Time
Total time for given volume of IVF
to infuse
Infusion Time = Total Vol.
cc/hr.
Example 1 = 1L NSS @ 100cc/hr.
1000 = 10 hrs.
100
Example 2 1L D5W @ 125/hr.
1000 = 8 hrs.
125

17. 1733
MEDICAL
QUESTION OF THE
DAY
• QUESTION
• WHAT IS A
• TABLET

18. 18
MEDICAL HUMOR
ANSWER
A SMALL
TABLE
LOL 

19. 19
PEDIATRIC IV
MEDICATIONS
• I
IV MED INFUSION PUMP

20. 20
Heparin
• anticoagulant
• measured in units
• various concentration
•Concentration for sc. =
10,000 units/cc
1000 units/cc = IV heparin
100 units/cc = CL heparin flush
10 units/cc = PHL flush

21. 21
Parenteral Medications
s.c. subcutaneous
**Should be ≤ 1cc
Heparin s.c is a common one.

22. 22
SC HEPARIN
Order: 4000 units Heparin s.c. now.
On Hand:
Heparin 1,000 units/cc
Heparin 10,000 units/cc
Which would you choose
And why
How much would you give

23. 23
SC Heparin
If you choose 1,000 units/ml
1000units 4000units
1 cc xcc
1000 x = 4000
x = 4 cc
TOO MUCH s.c.
So cannot go by closest concentration rule with s.c.
injections, SO

24. 24
SC Heparin cont..
Choose 10,000 units / ml
10,000 units 4000 units
1cc x cc
10,000 x = 4000
x = 0.4 cc
OK for a subcutaneous
injection

25. 25
Heparin Infusion
Order
1000cc D5W +
50,000 units
heparin TRA 25 cc/hr
*How many Units/hr is your
patient getting
1000 cc : 50,000 units : 25 cc = X
1000x = 1,250,000 units
X = 1,250 Units

26. 26
Order
1 L D5W c 50,000units heparin
Run @ 2,000 units per hour
What is flow rate in cc/hr.
50,000 units :1,000 cc:: 2,000 units: Xcc
50,000x = 2,000,000
X = 40 cc/hr.

27. 27
HEPARIN INFUSION
• ORDER:
• 1LNS with 50,000 units Heparin @ 30cc/hr.
• How many units/hr is your patient
receiving?

28. 28
HEPARIN INFUSION
1000cc : 50, 000units :: 30cc: x units
1000x = 1,500,000
X= 1500 units /hr

29. 29
INSULIN INJECTIONS
not on exam
I liked this slide

30. 30
59
Critical Care Drugs
1. Ordered by dosages
i.e., mcg/kg/min
mg/min
You will need to find cc/hr.
2. Should use IV pump! If not,
use mini-dripper only!
REMEMBER A MINI
DRIPPER = 60 gtts / cc
3. Be sure you have like units.
4. Very potent drugs!!

31. 31
CRITICAL CARE
CALCULATIONS
Order: Lidocaine 4mg/min
On Hand: Lidocaine 1g/250cc
What is IV flow rate?? cc/hr?
1. Convert to like units: 1g=1000mg
2. 1000 mg: 250 :: 4mg: x cc
1000x = 1000
x = 1cc/min.

32. 32
60
1 cc / minute, the question
asked for cc/hr.!!
WE NEED HOURLY RATE
SO STEP 3.
3. Multiply by 60 min. to get
cc/hr
1 cc/min (60 min) = 60 cc/hr
is our answer.

33. 33
61
Order
Pronestyl 3mg/min
Have on Hand
500mg Pronestyl in
250 cc D5W
Rate in cc/hr??
1. No conversion necessary
2. 500 mg : 250 cc = 3 mg : Xcc
500 x = 750
X = 1.5 cc/min.
1.5 cc/ minute , we need cc/hr.

34. 34
Pronestyl
3. calculate the flow rate in cc/hr
1.5 cc/min x 60 min ( per hr)
= 90 cc/hr.

35. 35
MEDICAL QUESTION
•WHAT DOES
•DILATE MEAN

36. 36
MEDICAL HUMOR
•ANSWER
•TO LIVE LONG
•LOL again

37. 37
ORDER
2.5 mcg/kg/min
Have on Hand
Nipride 50mg/250cc
Wt: 136 lbs
Rate cc/hr ?
1. 136 · 2.2 = 61.8 kg ( 62kg.)
2.5 mcg. X 62 kg. = 155
mcg/min.
2. Convert to like units
155 mcg/min = ? mg/min
= 0.155 mg/min
46

38. 38
Nipride
3. Calculate flow rate cc/min
0.155mg. : x cc :: 50mg : 250cc
50 x = 250 x ( 0.155)
50 x = 38.75
x = 0.775 cc/min.
4. Calculate flow rate cc/hr.
0.775/min x 60min/hr. =
46.5 cc/hr. or 47 cc/hr.

39. 39
64
Order
Lidocaine 2 mcg/kg/min
Have on Hand:
Lidocaine 1 g/250 cc
Pt Wt: 62kg
Rate? cc/hr.
1. 2 mcg x 62 kg = 124 mcg/min
2. 1g Lidocaine = 1000mg
124 mcg. = 0.124 mg.

40. 40
Lidocaine Problem cont..
3. 1000mg : 250cc :: 0.124 mg : x cc
1000 x = 250 ( 0.124)
1000 x = 31
x =0. 031
4. 0.031 cc/ minute
Not finished , need cc/hr. SO,
0.031 x 60 = 1.86 cc/hr.

41. 41
Unacceptable Abbreviations
• OFFICIAL DO NOT USE LIST, ( and soon to be
not used)
IN DOSAGE CALC FOLDER
• They are changing as we speak

42. Practice, Practice, Practice for exam!
Time yourself completing 50 questions , all
types
Practice all sets of practice problems again
Memorize the abbreviations, etc..
Email me your questions
42