Blood transfusion drip rate practice problems
Work each problem on paper first, rounding as the question says. Then open the answer to check it and see every step.
For study and exam practice, not for patient care. The orders in these problems are written for practice. In the clinic, follow the prescriber's order, your facility's protocols, and your pharmacy.
Problem 1
Order: transfuse 1 unit of packed red blood cells (330 mL) over 2 hours. The blood administration set has a drop factor of 10 gtt/mL. How many gtt/min should the nurse regulate the infusion? Record your answer using a whole number.
Show answer and steps
Answer: 28 gtt/min
- Minutes = 2 hours × 60 = 120 minutes.
- gtt/min = volume × drop factor ÷ minutes.
- 330 mL × 10 gtt/mL ÷ 120 minutes = 27.5 gtt/min.
- A drop cannot be split, so round to a whole number: 28 gtt/min.
Problem 2
A client with anemia from chronic kidney disease is scheduled to receive a blood transfusion. The prescription reads: transfuse 1 unit of packed red blood cells (290 mL) over 1.5 hours. The blood administration set has a drop factor of 10 gtt/mL. How many gtt/min should the nurse regulate the infusion? Record your answer using a whole number.
Show answer and steps
Answer: 32 gtt/min
- gtt/min = volume × drop factor ÷ minutes.
- 290 mL × 10 gtt/mL ÷ 90 minutes = 32.22 gtt/min.
- A drop cannot be split, so round to a whole number: 32 gtt/min.
Problem 3
The nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription to transfuse 1 unit of packed red blood cells (280 mL) over 2.5 hours. The blood administration set has a drop factor of 10 gtt/mL. How many gtt/min should the nurse regulate the infusion? Record your answer using a whole number.
Show answer and steps
Answer: 19 gtt/min
- gtt/min = volume × drop factor ÷ minutes.
- 280 mL × 10 gtt/mL ÷ 150 minutes = 18.67 gtt/min.
- A drop cannot be split, so round to a whole number: 19 gtt/min.
Problem 4
Order: transfuse 1 unit of packed red blood cells (330 mL) over 1.5 hours. Supply: blood administration set with a drop factor of 10 gtt/mL. How many gtt/min should the nurse regulate the infusion? Record your answer using a whole number.
Show answer and steps
Answer: 37 gtt/min
- gtt/min = volume × drop factor ÷ minutes.
- 330 mL × 10 gtt/mL ÷ 90 minutes = 36.67 gtt/min.
- A drop cannot be split, so round to a whole number: 37 gtt/min.
Problem 5
A client with anemia is ready to receive a blood transfusion. Order: transfuse 1 unit of packed red blood cells (340 mL) over 2 hours. The blood administration set has a drop factor of 10 gtt/mL. How many gtt/min should the nurse regulate the infusion? Record your answer using a whole number.
Show answer and steps
Answer: 28 gtt/min
- Minutes = 2 hours × 60 = 120 minutes.
- gtt/min = volume × drop factor ÷ minutes.
- 340 mL × 10 gtt/mL ÷ 120 minutes = 28.33 gtt/min.
- A drop cannot be split, so round to a whole number: 28 gtt/min.
Problem 6
The nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription to transfuse 1 unit of packed red blood cells, which is 320 mL, over 2.5 hours. The blood administration set has a drop factor of 10 gtt/mL. How many gtt/min should the nurse regulate the infusion? Record your answer using a whole number.
Show answer and steps
Answer: 21 gtt/min
- gtt/min = volume × drop factor ÷ minutes.
- 320 mL × 10 gtt/mL ÷ 150 minutes = 21.33 gtt/min.
- A drop cannot be split, so round to a whole number: 21 gtt/min.
Problem 7
A client with anemia from chronic kidney disease is receiving a blood transfusion. The prescription is to transfuse 1 unit of packed red blood cells (260 mL) over 2.5 hours. The blood administration set has a drop factor of 10 gtt/mL. How many gtt/min should the nurse regulate the infusion? Record your answer using a whole number.
Show answer and steps
Answer: 17 gtt/min
- gtt/min = volume × drop factor ÷ minutes.
- 260 mL × 10 gtt/mL ÷ 150 minutes = 17.33 gtt/min.
- A drop cannot be split, so round to a whole number: 17 gtt/min.
Problem 8
The nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription to transfuse 1 unit of packed red blood cells (340 mL) over 2.5 hours. The blood administration set has a drop factor of 10 gtt/mL. How many gtt/min should the nurse regulate the infusion? Record your answer using a whole number.
Show answer and steps
Answer: 23 gtt/min
- gtt/min = volume × drop factor ÷ minutes.
- 340 mL × 10 gtt/mL ÷ 150 minutes = 22.67 gtt/min.
- A drop cannot be split, so round to a whole number: 23 gtt/min.
Problem 9
A client with acute anemia from blood loss is to receive a transfusion. The prescription reads: transfuse 1 unit of packed red blood cells (270 mL) over 1.5 hours. The blood administration set has a drop factor of 10 gtt/mL. How many gtt/min should the nurse regulate the infusion? Record your answer using a whole number.
Show answer and steps
Answer: 30 gtt/min
- gtt/min = volume × drop factor ÷ minutes.
- 270 mL × 10 gtt/mL ÷ 90 minutes = 30 gtt/min.
- 30 gtt/min is exact, so no rounding is needed.
Problem 10
A client with anemia from blood loss needs a transfusion. The prescription reads: transfuse 1 unit of packed red blood cells (310 mL) over 3.5 hours. The blood administration set has a drop factor of 10 gtt/mL. How many gtt/min should the nurse regulate the infusion? Record your answer using a whole number.
Show answer and steps
Answer: 15 gtt/min
- gtt/min = volume × drop factor ÷ minutes.
- 310 mL × 10 gtt/mL ÷ 210 minutes = 14.76 gtt/min.
- A drop cannot be split, so round to a whole number: 15 gtt/min.
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