CHAPTER 7 CALCULATING IV INFUSION AND COMPLETION TIMES 55 CHAPTER 7 Calculating IV Infusion and Completion Times Objectives The learner will calculate:. infusion times. 2. completion times using international/military and standard time. 3. infusion time to label IV bag/bottle with start, progress, and completion times. Suggested Review Questions. List four reasons that calculating and knowing the start and completion times for IV infusions is an important component to the nursing care of patients receiving IV fluids. 2. What is the formula for calculating the infusion time for ordered IV fluids? 3. How is the completion time for IV infusions determined? Answers to Review Questions. It is important for the nurse to calculate and know the start and completion times of IV fluids so that: () subsequent fluids can be ordered and available when needed; (2) the discontinuance of fluids can be planned; (3) information for effective monitoring of infusing fluids is known (i.e., the start and completion times); and (4) lab studies related to IV infusion can be appropriately scheduled. 2. The method used to calculate the infusion time of IV fluids depends upon the information available. a. When the total fluid volume to infuse and ml/hr rate are known, the formula is Total volumeordered in ml Infusion time* = ml/hr rate 200 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
56 SECTION 6 INTRAVENOUS CALCULATIONS b. When only the total fluid volume (the gtt/min rate) and drop factor are known, DA should be used. The DA equation is written as Hr (Infusion time)* = time ( hr) flow rate (gtt/min) drop factor total volume to infuse So the written equation with correct components in the numerator and denominator is hr min gtt ml hr = 60 min gtt ml *Remind learners that fractions of hours need to be converted to minutes to increase the accuracy of determining completion times. This is determined by multiplying 60 minutes fraction of hour obtained. c. When total fluid volume (the gtt/min rate) and drop factor are known, but the infusion time is less than hr, the equation can be shortened by eliminating the hr/60 minute ratio. Thus, the time in minutes will be determined and the equation is min gtt ml min = gtt ml 3. The completion time for IV infusions is determined by adding the calculated infusion time to the start time (in hours and minutes). International or military time is now used in most health care facilities. IV bags are labeled with the beginning, infusion, and completion times to provide a visual reference for monitoring the status of the IV infusion. Thus, the time when additional fluids will be needed can be determined. 200 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
CHAPTER 7 CALCULATING IV INFUSION AND COMPLETION TIMES 57 Name Date Chapter 7: Calculating IV Infusion and Completion Times Additional Practice Problems Calculate the infusion times for the following IV fluid orders. Express answers in hours and minutes. Round answers to nearest tenth or nearest whole number for gtt/min and time.. A volume of 60 ml infusing at 30 gtt/min with an infusion set of 20 gtt/ml. 2. A volume of 20 ml infusing at 20 gtt/min with a microdrip infusion set. 3. A volume of 25 ml infusing at 38 gtt/min with an infusion set of 0 gtt/ml. 4. A volume of 0 ml infusing at 30 gtt/min with a microdrip infusion set. 5. A volume of 45 ml infusing at 25 gtt/min with an infusion set of 5 gtt/ml. 6. A volume of 250 ml infusing at 60 ml/hr. 7. A volume of 300 ml infusing at 50 ml/hr. 8. A volume of 500 ml infusing at 75 ml/hr. 9. A volume of 000 ml infusing at 75 ml/hr. 200 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Permission to reproduce granted for classroom use only.
58 SECTION 6 INTRAVENOUS CALCULATIONS 0. A volume of 000 ml infusing at 25 ml/hr. Calculate infusion and completion times for the following IV fluid orders. Compute gtt/min rates when requested. Round to nearest tenth of an hour and express completion times in international/military time.. The order is to infuse 325 ml of packed red blood cells at 25 ml/hr. The drop factor on the IV tubing is 0 gtt/ml. The blood was started at 0845. gtt/min infusion time completion time 2. A volume of 250 ml is to infuse at 25 ml/hr using an IV set with drop factor of 5 gtt/ml. The infusion was started at 235. gtt/min infusion time completion time 3. A volume of 000 ml is to infuse at 50 ml/hr using an IV set with drop factor of 0 gtt/ml. The infusion was started at 25. gtt/min infusion time completion time 4. The flow rate ordered for 2 L of 0.9% NaCl is 90 ml/hr. The infusion was started at 080. infusion time completion time 5. One liter of RL is started at 320. It is to infuse at 80 ml/hr. infusion time completion time 6. 425 ml of D5 0.45% NaCl remain at 55. The fluid is infusing at 25 ml/hr. infusion time completion time 7. IV fluid of 500 ml normal saline is ordered to infuse at 75 ml/hr. The infusion was started at 625. infusion time completion time 200 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Permission to reproduce granted for classroom use only.
CHAPTER 7 CALCULATING IV INFUSION AND COMPLETION TIMES 59 8. A volume of 00 ml 0.45% NaCl was started at 30. It is infusing at a rate of 25 gtt/min. The drop factor is 5 gtt/ml. infusion time completion time 9. A volume of 400 ml Ringer s lactate was started at 2000. It is infusing at a rate of 90 ml/hr. infusion time completion time 20. Three liters of 5% dextrose in water are to infuse at 00 ml/hr. The infusion was started at 040. Calculate the infusion time and the completion time, and label the IV bag below with the start, progress, and completion times. infusion time completion time Courtesy of Abbott Laboratories. 200 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Permission to reproduce granted for classroom use only.
60 SECTION 6 INTRAVENOUS CALCULATIONS 2. 000 ml of 5% dextrose in water are to infuse at 80 ml/hr. The infusion was started at 90. Calculate the infusion time and the completion time, and label the IV bag below with the start, progress, and completion times. infusion time completion time Courtesy of Abbott Laboratories. 200 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Permission to reproduce granted for classroom use only.
CHAPTER 7 CALCULATING IV INFUSION AND COMPLETION TIMES 6 22. 000 ml of 5% dextrose in water are to infuse at 25 ml/hr. The infusion was started at 45. Calculate the infusion time and the completion time, and label the IV bag below with the start, progress, and completion times. infusion time completion time Courtesy of Abbott Laboratories. 200 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Permission to reproduce granted for classroom use only.
62 SECTION 6 INTRAVENOUS CALCULATIONS Solutions to Additional Practice Problems Calculate the infusion times for the following IV fluid orders. Express answers in hours and minutes. Round answers to nearest tenth or nearest whole number for gtt/min and time. Dimensional analysis is used for problems through 5.. hr Infusion time = 60 min min 20 gtt 60 ml 20 = = 20.8 = 2/3 hr or 0.67 hr 30 gtt ml 30 To compute minutes: 60 min 0.67 = 40.2 or 40 minutes Answer: 40 minutes 2. hr Infusion time = 60 min min 20 gtt 60 gtt ml Note: A microdrip infusion set is being used = 60 gtt/ml Answer: 60 minutes 20 ml = hr or 60 minutes 3. hr Infusion time = 60 min 6 min 0 gtt 38 gtt ml To compute minutes: 60 min 0.55 = 33 minutes Answer: 33 minutes 25 ml 25 = = 0.548 = 0.55 minutes 228 4. hr Infusion time = 60 min min 30 gtt 3 60 gtt ml To compute minutes: 60 min 0.33 = 9.8 or 20 minutes Answer: 20 minutes 0 ml = = 0.333 = 0.33 hr 3 5. hr Infusion time = 60 min 4 To compute minutes: 60 min Answer: 27 minutes min 25 gtt 5 5 gtt ml 0.45 = 27 minutes 9 45 ml 9 = = 0.45 hr 20 200 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
CHAPTER 7 CALCULATING IV INFUSION AND COMPLETION TIMES 63 total volume ordered in ml Use formula: for problems 6 through 0. ml/hr rate 6. 250 ml Infusion time = 60 ml /hr = 4.66 = 4.6 hr To compute minutes: 60 min 0.6 = 9.6 or 0 minutes Answer: 4 hr and 0 minutes 7. 300 ml Infusion time = 50 ml /hr Answer: 6 hr = 6 hr 8. 500 ml Infusion time = 75 ml /hr = 6.666 = 6.67 hr To compute minutes: 60 min 0.67 = 40.2 or 40 minutes Answer: 6 hr and 40 minutes 9. 000 ml Infusion time = 75 ml /hr = 3.333 = 3.33 hr To compute minutes: 60 min 0.33 = 9.8 or 20 minutes Answer: 3 hr and 20 minutes 0. 000 ml Infusion time = 25 ml /hr Answer: 8 hr = 8 hr Calculate infusion and completion times for the following IV fluid orders. Compute gtt/min rates when requested. Round to nearest tenth of an hour and express completion times in international/military time.. gtt/min = 25 ml 0 gtt/ ml 60 min 6 25 = = 20.8 = 6 2 gtt/min 200 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
64 SECTION 6 INTRAVENOUS CALCULATIONS hr min 0 gtt 325 ml 325 Infusion time = = = 2.579 = 2.58 hr 60 min 2gtt ml 26 6 To compute time: 60 0.58 = 34.8 or 35 minutes Total infusion time = 2 hr and 35 minutes Completion time = Start time 0845 Infusion time + 235 080 Change 80 to hr and minutes = hr 20 min Completion time = 20 000 + 20 20 2. gtt/min = 25 ml 5 gtt/ ml 60 min 4 25 = = 3.25 = 4 3 gtt/min hr Infusion time = 60 min 4 min 5 gtt 3gtt ml 250 ml 250 = = 2.0 = 2 hr 24 Completion time = Start time 235 Infusion time + 200 2335 Completion time = 2335 3. gtt/min = 50 ml 0 gtt/ ml 60 min 6 50 = = 6 25 gtt/min hr Infusion time = 60 min 6 min 25 gtt 0 gtt ml To compute time: 60 0.67 = 40.2 or 40 minutes Total infusion time = 6 hr and 40 minutes 40 000 ml 40 = = 6.666 = 6.67 hr 6 200 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
CHAPTER 7 CALCULATING IV INFUSION AND COMPLETION TIMES 65 Completion time = Start time 25 Infusion time + 640 855 Completion time = 855 4. Infusion time: First change 2 L to ml = 2000 ml 2000 ml Infusion time = = 22.222 = 22.22 hr 90 ml /hr To compute time: 60 min 0.22 = 3.2 or 3 minutes Total infusion time = 22 hr and 3 minutes Completion time = Start time 080 Infusion time + 223 3023 2400 0623 Completion time = 0623 the next morning 5. Infusion time: First change L to ml = 000 ml 000 ml Infusion time = = 2.5 hr 80 ml /hr To compute time: 60 min 0.5 = 30 minutes Total infusion time = 2 hr and 30 minutes Completion time = Start time 320 Infusion time + 230 2550 2400 050 Completion time = 050 the next morning 200 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
66 SECTION 6 INTRAVENOUS CALCULATIONS 6. 425 ml Infusion time = = 3.4 hr 25 ml /hr To compute time: 60 min 0.4 = 24 minutes Total infusion time = 3 hr and 24 minutes Completion time = Start time 55 Infusion time + 0324 839 Completion time = 839 7. 500 ml Infusion time = = 6.666 = 6.67 hr 75 ml /hr To compute time: 60 min 0.67 = 40.2 or 40 minutes Total infusion time = 6 hr and 40 minutes Completion time = Start time 625 Infusion time + 0640 2265 65 minutes = hr 5 minutes or 005 Completion time = 2305 2200 + 005 2305 8. Infusion time = 60 4 hr min min 25 gtt 5 gtt ml 4 00 ml 4 = = hr 4 Completion time = Start time 30 Infusion time + 000 40 Completion time = 40 200 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
CHAPTER 7 CALCULATING IV INFUSION AND COMPLETION TIMES 67 9. 400 ml Infusion time = = 4.444 = 4.44 hr 90 ml /hr To compute time: 60 min 0.44 = 26.4 or 26 minutes Total infusion time = 4 hr and 26 minutes Completion time = Start time 2000 Infusion time + 0426 2426 2400 0026 Completion time = 0026 the next day 20. Change 3 L to ml = 3000 ml 3000 ml Infusion time = 00 ml /hr = 30 hr Completion time = Start time 040 Infusion time + 3000 4040 2400 640 Completion time = 640 the next day Labeling of IV bag: Start time should be noted at 040; each 00 ml should be marked as progress time; completion time of first liter is 2040 (0 hr after start time). 200 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
68 SECTION 6 INTRAVENOUS CALCULATIONS 2. 000 ml Infusion time = 80 ml /hr = 2.5 hr To compute time: 60 min 0.5 = 30 minutes Total infusion time = 2 hr and 30 minutes Completion time = Start time 90 Infusion time + 230 340 2400 0740 Completion time = 0740 the next day Labeling of IV bag: Start time should be noted at 90; each 80 ml should be marked as progress time; completion time should be marked as 0740. 22. 000 ml Infusion time = 25 ml /hr = 8 hr Completion time = Start time 45 Infusion time + 0800 225 Completion time = 225 Labeling of IV bag: Start time should be noted at 45; each 25 ml should be marked as progress time; completion time should be marked as 225. 200 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.