A patient is receiving a 200 mL bolus of 0.9% normal saline (NS) to be infused over 20 minutes. The nurse should set the infusion pump to deliver how many mL/hour? (Enter numeric value only.)
Answer and Explanation
The Correct Answer is [“600 mL\/hour”]
The correct answer is 600 mL/hour. To find the answer, we can use the following formula:
(mL/hour) = (mL/minute) x 60
Substituting the given values, we get:
(mL/hour) = (200 / 20) x 60
Simplifying, we get:
(mL/hour) = 10 x 60
(mL/hour) = 600
Therefore, the nurse should set the infusion pump to deliver 600 mL/hour of 0.9% NS to the patient.
The correct answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is 600 mL/hour.
Explanation:
To calculate the rate at which the nurse should set the infusion pump, you can use the following formula:
[
\text{mL/hour} = \left(\frac{\text{Total volume in mL}}{\text{Time in minutes}}\right) \times 60
]
This formula helps convert the infusion rate from milliliters per minute (mL/min) to milliliters per hour (mL/hour), which is the standard way infusion pumps measure rates.
Step-by-Step Calculation:
- Determine the total volume of the bolus:
The patient is receiving 200 mL of normal saline. - Determine the time over which the bolus will be infused:
The infusion is to be given over 20 minutes. - Calculate the rate in mL/min:
Divide the total volume (200 mL) by the time (20 minutes):
[
\frac{200 \text{ mL}}{20 \text{ minutes}} = 10 \text{ mL/min}
] - Convert the rate from mL/min to mL/hour:
Since there are 60 minutes in an hour, multiply the result by 60 to convert to mL/hour:
[
10 \text{ mL/min} \times 60 = 600 \text{ mL/hour}
]
Thus, the nurse should set the infusion pump to 600 mL/hour.
Why This Calculation Is Important:
- Infusion rates need to be accurate to ensure that the patient receives the correct amount of fluid within the intended time frame. Too rapid an infusion could cause complications such as fluid overload, while too slow could delay the therapeutic effect.