A client has a prescription for an intravenous infusion of 0.45% sodium chloride 500 ml to be infused over 6 hours. What is the correct ml/hour setting for the pump?

To determine the correct flow rate in ml/hour for an intravenous infusion of 500 ml over a period of 6 hours, you need to divide the total volume of the infusion by the total time in hours.

The calculation is as follows:

Total volume = 500 ml

Total time = 6 hours

Flow rate (ml/hour) = Total volume (ml) ÷ Total time (hours)

Flow rate = 500 ml ÷ 6 hours = 83.33 ml/hour

When rounding the flow rate, it is standard practice in clinical settings to round to the nearest whole number. Therefore, 83.33 ml/hour rounds to 83 ml/hour.

The importance of this calculation lies in ensuring that the medication is administered at the prescribed rate, ensuring efficacy and safety in the patient’s treatment. Therefore, setting the pump to 83 ml/hour correctly reflects this calculated rate for delivery of the 0.45% sodium chloride infusion within the appropriate time frame.