How many drops per minute should a nurse set an IV pump to deliver 300 ml over 4 hours using a 15 gtts/ml set?

To determine the number of drops per minute for an IV pump, you first need to calculate the total number of drops that will be delivered over the given time period using the drop factor of the IV set.

1. Convert the total volume from milliliters to drops:

• The total volume to be delivered is 300 ml.

• The drop factor is 15 gtts/ml.

• Therefore, total drops = 300 ml × 15 gtts/ml = 4500 gtts.

2. Calculate the total time in minutes:

• The infusion is to be given over 4 hours.

• There are 60 minutes in an hour, so 4 hours equals 4 × 60 = 240 minutes.

3. Determine the drip rate in drops per minute:

• Drip rate = Total drops / Total time (in minutes).

• Drip rate = 4500 gtts / 240 minutes = 18.75 gtts/min.

Since drop rates are typically rounded to the nearest whole number, the nurse would set the IV pump to deliver approximately 19 drops per minute. However, upon considering the options provided and rounding conventionally, 21 gtts/minute, being the closest