Intravenous fluid computations

1. Intravenous Fluid ComputationsIntravenous Fluid Computations

2. Volume/Time - IV mL Rate Volume/Time - IV mL Rate
QuestionsQuestions
Given a certain amount of liquid and a
time period, what is the necessary IV flow
rate in mL/hr? Measurement used when
IV regulated electronically by infusion
pump. 

3. Formula: 
Volume (mL)
Time (hr)  =  Y (Flow Rate in
mL/hr)
Example: Infuse 250 mL over the
next 120 minutes by infusion pump.

4. Volume (mL)
Time (hr)  =  Y (Flow Rate in mL/hr)
Convert 120 minutes to hours.
min   hr    ( ÷ by 60 )
→
120 min ÷ 60 = 2 hr
250 mL
2 hr
 =  125 mL/hr

Example: Ordered 1000 mL D5W IV to infuse in 10 hours by infusion
pump.
Volume (mL)
Time (hr)  =  Y (Flow Rate in mL/hr)
 
1000 mL
10 hr
 =  100 mL/hr

5. Volume/Time - IV Drop Rate Volume/Time - IV Drop Rate
QuestionsQuestions
Given a certain amount of liquid, a time
period, and a drop factor (gtts/mL), what
is the necessary IV flow rate in gtts/min?
Measurement used when IV is regulated
manually. Because it is not possible to
give a patient a fraction of a drop, it is
typical to round answers for these
problems up or down to the nearest
whole number. 

6. Formula: 
Volume (mL)
Time (min) x Drop Factor (gtts/mL)  =  Y
(Flow Rate in gtts/min)

7. Example: Calculate the IV flow rate
for 1200 mL of NS to be infused in 6
hours. The infusion set is calibrated for a
drop factor of 15 gtts/mL.
Volume (mL)
Time (min) x Drop Factor (gtts/mL)  =  Y (Flow Rate
in gtts/min)

8. Convert 6 hours to minutes.
min   hr    ( x by 60 )
←
6 hr x 60 = 360 min
1200 mL
360 min
x 15 gtts/mL  =  50 gtts/min

9. Fluid Maintenance Fluid Maintenance
Requirement QuestionsRequirement Questions
Given the weight of a child or infant,
calculate the necessary amount of fluid
per day. Different hospitals may have
different policies, but for learning how to
perform these pediatric dosage
calculations, the following commonly
used table of fluid requirements may be
used. 

10. Weight Range Required Daily Fluid
0-10 kg 100 mL per kg
10-20 kg 1,000 mL + 50 mL per each kg above 10 kg
20-70 kg 1,500 mL + 20 mL per each kg above 20 kg
Over 70 kg 2,500 mL (adult requirement)

11. Example: An infant weighs 4 kg. What is
the required amount of fluid per day in
mL?
0-10 kg
100 mL per kg
4 kg x 100 mL/kg = 400 mL