IV Drip Rate Calculations
Calculating IV Drip Rates
To calculate an IV drip rate based on the volume of fluid to be infused over time.
| Drops per minute = | Volume to be infused in cc X Drop factor of IV set |
|---|---|
| (Time in minutes) |
To calculate an IV drip rate for a medication that is administered based on a specified dosage to be infused per minute
| Drops per minute = | Dosage per minute to be administered X Drop factor (60) |
|---|---|
| (Concentration of medication per ml) |
Hint: Make sure the unit measurement of the concentration and the dosage are the same. i.e. both in milligrams
To calculate an IV drip rate for a medication that is administered based on a specified dosage per kilogram of body weight per minute
| Drops per minute = | Desired dosage per minute X Weight in Kg X Drop factor of IV set |
|---|---|
| (Concentration of medication per ml) |
Hint: Make sure the unit measurement of the concentration and the dosage are the same. i.e. both in milligrams
Other handy items to review
Convert pounds to kilograms: Divide pounds by 2.2
1 gram = 1000 milligrams
1 milligram = 1000 micrograms