A nurse is preparing to administer 0.9% sodium chloride 750 mL IV to infuse over 7 hr. The nurse should set the infusion 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 :
Calculation:
To determine the rate at which the infusion pump should be set, use the formula:
[
\text{Infusion Rate (mL/hr)} = \frac{\text{Total Volume to Infuse (mL)}}{\text{Time (hours)}}
]
Given:
- Total volume: ( 750 \, \text{mL} )
- Time: ( 7 \, \text{hours} )
Substitute the values:
[
\text{Infusion Rate} = \frac{750}{7} = 107.14 \, \text{mL/hr}
]
Rounded to the nearest whole number:
[
\text{Infusion Rate} = 107 \, \text{mL/hr}
]
Explanation:
1. Understanding the Formula:
The formula calculates the rate in milliliters per hour by dividing the total fluid volume to be infused by the total time over which the infusion will occur. This ensures the infusion is delivered evenly over the specified time period.
2. Rounding:
In clinical practice, infusion pumps typically do not accept decimal values for the infusion rate. Thus, the rate is rounded to the nearest whole number to ensure accuracy without over- or under-infusing a significant amount of fluid.
3. Leading and Trailing Zeros:
- A leading zero is used to avoid confusion (e.g., writing “0.5” instead of “.5”).
- Trailing zeros are avoided (e.g., “107” instead of “107.0”) to prevent errors related to misinterpretation.
4. Clinical Relevance:
Administering fluids at the correct rate is critical for maintaining a patient’s hydration status and electrolyte balance. Infusing too quickly could cause fluid overload, especially in patients with cardiac or renal conditions. Infusing too slowly may result in inadequate hydration or delayed medication administration.
By setting the infusion pump to 107 mL/hr, the nurse ensures the 750 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride is delivered safely and effectively over the prescribed 7 hours.