IV Drip Rate Calculator
Determines the intravenous flow rate of fluids infused so to respect the prescription.
In the text below the form there is more information about the formula used and about available drip sets.
The IV drip rate calculator estimates the intravenous flow rate depending on the volume of fluid to be infused, the amount of time for IV and the drop factor.
Intravenous therapy needs to be carefully monitored to ensure that is administered at the prescribed rate.
IV Drip rate = (Volume to be given in mL x Drop factor in gtts/min) / Time in minutes
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Steps on how to print your input & results:
1. Fill in the calculator/tool with your values and/or your answer choices and press Calculate.
2. Then you can click on the Print button to open a PDF in a separate window with the inputs and results. You can further save the PDF or print it.
Please note that once you have closed the PDF you need to click on the Calculate button before you try opening it again, otherwise the input and/or results may not appear in the pdf.
Variables and formula
In order to ensure that the intravenous fluid infusion is administered at the right rate, the amount of fluid and the administration time are required during prescription and the calculation then accounts for the type of drip set used.
The three variables are:
■ Volume to be given in mL;
■ Time expressed in minutes or hours;
■ Drop factor (macrodrip tubing) in gtts/mL.
The equation behind the IV drip rate calculator is:
IV Drip rate = (Volume to be given in mL x Drop factor in gtts/min) / Time in minutes
In case the time is expressed in hours then the flow rate calculation becomes:
IV Drip rate = (Volume to be given in mL x Drop factor in gtts/min) / (Time in hours x 60)
How to calculate IV drip rate
Taking the case of a simple infusion of 1,000 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride over 8 hours, administered through a macrodrip tubing with a drop factor of 15 gtts/mL, the calculation would be:
IV Drip rate = (1000 mL x 15 gtts/mL) / (8 hours x 60) = 31.25 gtts per minute.
About drip sets
Intravenous administration is the fastest way to deliver the following to the body:
■ Fluids for correcting dehydration;
■ Fluids for correcting electrolyte imbalance;
■ Fluid infusion with medication;
■ Blood transfusion.
The rate at which a fluid is administered intravenously is measured in mL/hour or drops per minute.
The regulation of IV flow rate is done by a burette, which contains a needle or a plastic dropper. The most common drip sets are:
■ 60 gtts/ml minidrip drip set;
■ 10 gtts/ml regular drip set;
■ 15 gtts/ml regular drip set;
■ 20 gtts/ml regular drip set.
References
1. Duell, D. J., Martin, B. C., & Smith, S. F. Clinical nursing skills: Basic to advanced skills (6th edition). 2004. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
2. Pugsley HE, Farquharson RF. Factors Influencing the Rate of Flow of Intravenous Infusions. Can Med Assoc J. 1944; 51(1): 5–11.
Specialty: Pharmacology
Objective: Determination
Type: Calculator
No. Of Variables: 3
Article By: Denise Nedea
Published On: June 18, 2017 · 07:23 AM
Last Checked: June 18, 2017
Next Review: June 18, 2023