A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who has a prescription for 3,000 mL of intravenous fluids over the next 24 hours.
The nurse should set the volumetric pump to deliver how many milliliters per hour?
A 125 mL/hr.
B 130 mL/hr.
C 135 mL/hr.
D 140 mL/hr.
The correct answer and Explanation is :
To determine the correct flow rate for the intravenous fluids, you need to divide the total volume of fluids by the total time over which they will be administered. Here, the prescription is for 3,000 mL of fluids to be given over 24 hours.
Calculation:
- Total Volume (mL): 3,000 mL
- Total Time (hours): 24 hours
To find the flow rate (in mL/hr), use the formula:
[ \text{Flow Rate (mL/hr)} = \frac{\text{Total Volume (mL)}}{\text{Total Time (hours)}} ]
Plugging in the numbers:
[ \text{Flow Rate (mL/hr)} = \frac{3,000 \text{ mL}}{24 \text{ hours}} ]
[ \text{Flow Rate (mL/hr)} = 125 \text{ mL/hr} ]
So, the volumetric pump should be set to deliver 125 mL/hr.
Explanation:
The volumetric pump controls the rate at which fluids are administered to the patient, and it needs to be set accurately to ensure the prescribed volume is delivered within the specified time frame. The calculation of 125 mL/hr is derived from dividing the total volume of intravenous fluids by the number of hours over which they are to be infused.
Administering fluids at this rate ensures that the patient receives exactly 3,000 mL over the course of 24 hours, which is crucial for maintaining appropriate fluid balance and achieving the intended therapeutic effect. Setting the pump incorrectly could lead to under- or over-infusion, which can have significant implications for the patient’s health, including potential complications from fluid overload or dehydration.