1.

Calculating Flow Rates for Infusion Pumps in mL/hr:

Formula:
Amount of Solution (mL) = x ml/hr
Time in hours
Example: the order is to infuse 1 liter of 0.9% Normal Saline in 8 hours.
1000 ml = 125ml/hr
8hr
Example: The order is to infuse Gentamicin 100 mg in 100 mL of 0.9% Normal Saline
over 30 minutes.
100ml =200ml/hr
.5hr
2. Calculating Flow Rate in Drops per Minute
Know drop factor in drops per milliliter (gtt/mL) of infusion set:
Microdrip:
60 gtt/mL
Macrodrip: 20 gtt/mL
15 gtt/mL
10 gtt/mL
Formula Method:
X gtt/min = amount of solution (ml or ml/hr) x drop factor
Time in minutes
Example: The order is to infuse 1 liter of 0.9% Normal Saline in 8 hours.
Calculate drops per minute using the following infusion sets:
Microdrip: 60 gtt/mL
Macrodrip: 20 gtt/mL
15 gtt/mL
10 gtt/mL
a. 125 gtt/min = 125 ml/hr x 60 gtt/mL
60min
(HINT: figure mL/hr first!)
b. 42gtt/min = 125 ml/hr x 20 gtt/mL
60 min
c. 31 gtt/min = 125 ml/hr x 15 gtt/ml
60min
d. 21 gtt/min = 125 ml/hr x 10 gtt/ml
60min