A nurse is preparing to administer lactated Ringer’s 250 mL IV to infuse over 15 min. The nurse should set the IV pump to deliver how many mL/hr?
(Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)
The Correct answer and Explanation is:
To determine the correct IV pump rate for administering 250 mL of Lactated Ringer’s solution over 15 minutes, follow these steps:
- Convert Infusion Time to Hours:
- Since the infusion time is 15 minutes, we first need to convert this time into hours.
- There are 60 minutes in an hour, so: Infusion time in hours=15 minutes60 minutes per hour=0.25 hours\text{Infusion time in hours} = \frac{15 \text{ minutes}}{60 \text{ minutes per hour}} = 0.25 \text{ hours}Infusion time in hours=60 minutes per hour15 minutes=0.25 hours
- Calculate the Infusion Rate in mL/hr:
- The formula to calculate the infusion rate in mL/hr is: Infusion rate (mL/hr)=Total volume (mL)Infusion time (hours)\text{Infusion rate (mL/hr)} = \frac{\text{Total volume (mL)}}{\text{Infusion time (hours)}}Infusion rate (mL/hr)=Infusion time (hours)Total volume (mL)
- Plugging in the values: Infusion rate (mL/hr)=250 mL0.25 hours=1000 mL/hr\text{Infusion rate (mL/hr)} = \frac{250 \text{ mL}}{0.25 \text{ hours}} = 1000 \text{ mL/hr}Infusion rate (mL/hr)=0.25 hours250 mL=1000 mL/hr
- Setting the IV Pump:
- To administer the solution correctly, set the IV pump to deliver at a rate of 1000 mL/hr.
Explanation:
When administering IV fluids, precise calculation of the infusion rate is crucial for ensuring that the patient receives the correct amount of fluid within the designated time. The infusion rate is typically expressed in milliliters per hour (mL/hr).
In this scenario, the nurse needs to administer 250 mL of Lactated Ringer’s solution in 15 minutes. Converting the 15 minutes into hours allows for a standard rate calculation in mL/hr. By dividing the total volume of 250 mL by the infusion time in hours (0.25 hours), the result is 1000 mL/hr. This rate ensures that the entire volume is infused over the 15-minute period, achieving the intended therapeutic effect.
Accurate infusion rates are critical in maintaining fluid balance and ensuring the efficacy of the treatment. Miscalculations can lead to under-infusion or over-infusion, potentially affecting patient outcomes. Therefore, using a precise IV pump rate is essential for proper fluid management in clinical practice.