IV infusion rate in mL/hr
Question
A client recovering from abdominal surgery has an order for lactated Ringer's 1,000 mL IV to infuse over 12 hours using an infusion pump. At what rate should the nurse program the pump? Round to the nearest whole number.
83 mL/hr
Typed answer in mL/hr, rounded to a whole number.
Answer
83 mL/hr
Rationale
Infusion pumps are programmed in milliliters per hour, so the nurse converts the ordered volume and infusion time into an hourly rate. Before starting, the nurse checks the rate against the order and the label on the bag so that the client receives neither too much nor too little fluid.
Worked solution: Rate = 1,000 mL ÷ 12 hr = 83 mL/hr.
Sources
Sources marked “Adapted from” are licensed under CC BY 4.0. We changed the material: its facts are rewritten into an original question, answer options and rationale. The original authors and publishers do not endorse SwipeExam.
- Adapted from Open RN Nursing Skills, 2nd edition: Chapter 5 Math Calculations
- Adapted from Open RN Nursing Advanced Skills: Chapter 1 Initiate IV Therapy
- Adapted from Open RN Nursing Skills, 2nd edition: Chapter 23 IV Therapy Management
- Lactated Ringers (sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium lactate and calcium chloride) intravenous prescribing information, Baxter Healthcare Company
- Lactated Ringers and Dextrose (sodium chloride, sodium lactate, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, and dextrose monohydrate) intravenous prescribing information, ICU Medical Inc.
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