IV piggyback 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
The nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for cefazolin 3 g in 150 mL IV over 30 minutes. The secondary tubing 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: 50 gtt/min
- gtt/min = volume × drop factor ÷ minutes.
- 150 mL × 10 gtt/mL ÷ 30 minutes = 50 gtt/min.
- 50 gtt/min is exact, so no rounding is needed.
Problem 2
A client with a urinary tract infection needs intravenous antibiotic therapy in the infusion area of the medical unit. Order: ceftriaxone 1 g in 50 mL IV over 30 minutes. The secondary tubing has a drop factor of 20 gtt/mL. How many gtt/min should the nurse regulate the infusion? Record your answer using a whole number.
Show answer and steps
Answer: 33 gtt/min
- gtt/min = volume × drop factor ÷ minutes.
- 50 mL × 20 gtt/mL ÷ 30 minutes = 33.33 gtt/min.
- A drop cannot be split, so round to a whole number: 33 gtt/min.
Problem 3
A client with a urinary tract infection is to receive an intravenous piggyback infusion. Order: ciprofloxacin 200 mg in 100 mL IV over 60 minutes. The secondary tubing has a drop factor of 20 gtt/mL. How many gtt/min should the nurse regulate the infusion? Record your answer using a whole number.
Show answer and steps
Answer: 33 gtt/min
- gtt/min = volume × drop factor ÷ minutes.
- 100 mL × 20 gtt/mL ÷ 60 minutes = 33.33 gtt/min.
- A drop cannot be split, so round to a whole number: 33 gtt/min.
Problem 4
A client with a postoperative surgical site infection is receiving prophylactic antibiotic therapy. Order: cefazolin 1 g in 50 mL IV over 30 minutes. The secondary tubing 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.
- 50 mL × 10 gtt/mL ÷ 30 minutes = 16.67 gtt/min.
- A drop cannot be split, so round to a whole number: 17 gtt/min.
Problem 5
Order: cefazolin 2 g in 100 mL IV over 30 minutes. The secondary tubing has a drop factor of 20 gtt/mL. How many gtt/min should the nurse regulate the infusion? Record your answer using a whole number.
Show answer and steps
Answer: 67 gtt/min
- gtt/min = volume × drop factor ÷ minutes.
- 100 mL × 20 gtt/mL ÷ 30 minutes = 66.67 gtt/min.
- A drop cannot be split, so round to a whole number: 67 gtt/min.
Problem 6
Order: ciprofloxacin 400 mg in 200 mL IV over 60 minutes. The secondary tubing has a drop factor of 15 gtt/mL. How many gtt/min should the nurse regulate the infusion? Record your answer using a whole number.
Show answer and steps
Answer: 50 gtt/min
- gtt/min = volume × drop factor ÷ minutes.
- 200 mL × 15 gtt/mL ÷ 60 minutes = 50 gtt/min.
- 50 gtt/min is exact, so no rounding is needed.
Problem 7
Order: ciprofloxacin 400 mg in 200 mL IV over 60 minutes. The secondary tubing has a drop factor of 20 gtt/mL. How many gtt/min should the nurse regulate the infusion? Record your answer using a whole number.
Show answer and steps
Answer: 67 gtt/min
- gtt/min = volume × drop factor ÷ minutes.
- 200 mL × 20 gtt/mL ÷ 60 minutes = 66.67 gtt/min.
- A drop cannot be split, so round to a whole number: 67 gtt/min.
Problem 8
Order: ciprofloxacin 400 mg in 200 mL IV over 60 minutes. The secondary tubing 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: 33 gtt/min
- gtt/min = volume × drop factor ÷ minutes.
- 200 mL × 10 gtt/mL ÷ 60 minutes = 33.33 gtt/min.
- A drop cannot be split, so round to a whole number: 33 gtt/min.
Problem 9
A client with a urinary tract infection needs an antibiotic given by intravenous piggyback. Order: ceftriaxone 1 g in 50 mL IV over 30 minutes. The secondary tubing 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.
- 50 mL × 10 gtt/mL ÷ 30 minutes = 16.67 gtt/min.
- A drop cannot be split, so round to a whole number: 17 gtt/min.
Problem 10
A client with a postoperative surgical site infection is receiving prophylactic antibiotic therapy. Order: cefazolin 2 g in 100 mL IV over 30 minutes. The secondary tubing has a drop factor of 15 gtt/mL. How many gtt/min should the nurse regulate the infusion? Record your answer using a whole number.
Show answer and steps
Answer: 50 gtt/min
- gtt/min = volume × drop factor ÷ minutes.
- 100 mL × 15 gtt/mL ÷ 30 minutes = 50 gtt/min.
- 50 gtt/min is exact, so no rounding is needed.
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