The Big 4 formulas for calculating IV drug dosages

To calculate an IV drip rate based on the volume of fluid to be infused over time.
Volume to be infused in cc X Drop factor of IV set Time in minutes

Drops per minute =

To calculate an IV drip rate based on the volume of fluid per hour.

Drops per minute ml per hour (ml/hr) = Drop factor of IV set X 60 minutes

To calculate an IV drip rate for a medication that is administered based on a specified dosage to be infused per minute
Dosage per minute to be administered X Drop factor (60) Concentration of medication per ml

Drops per minute =

Hint: Make sure the unit measurement of the concentration and the dosage are the same.(e.g. both in milligrams)

To calculate an IV drip rate for a medication that is administered based on a specified dosage per kilogram of body weight per minute.
Desired dosage per minute X Weight in Kg X Drop factor of IV set Concentration of medication per ml

Drops per minute =

Hint: Make sure the unit measurement of the concentration and the dosage are the same.(e.g. both in milligrams)

Practice
y More detailed directions and tips for calculating IV

drug calculations can be found at: http://www.alamo.edu/sac/nursing/math/ivprob.html

y Brush up drug calculation skills provides these

formulas along with practice problems (and answers) and can be found at: http://nursesaregreat.com/articles/drugcal.htm