IV drip rate (macrodrip) practice problems

IV Drip Rate · 10 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
A client with hypernatremia-related dehydration is to receive a maintenance hydration fluid. Order: 0.45% sodium chloride 500 mL IV over 1 hour. The IV 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: 83 gtt/min
1. gtt/min = volume × drop factor ÷ minutes.
2. 500 mL × 10 gtt/mL ÷ 60 minutes = 83.33 gtt/min.
3. A drop cannot be split, so round to a whole number: 83 gtt/min.
Problem 2
The nurse is caring for a client who has an order for 5% dextrose and 0.45% sodium chloride 1,000 mL IV over 4 hours. The IV 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: 42 gtt/min
1. Minutes = 4 hours × 60 = 240 minutes.
2. gtt/min = volume × drop factor ÷ minutes.
3. 1,000 mL × 10 gtt/mL ÷ 240 minutes = 41.67 gtt/min.
4. A drop cannot be split, so round to a whole number: 42 gtt/min.
Problem 3
A client with dehydration is receiving maintenance fluid therapy on the medical unit. Order: 5% dextrose and 0.45% sodium chloride 1,000 mL IV over 6 hours. The IV 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: 56 gtt/min
1. Minutes = 6 hours × 60 = 360 minutes.
2. gtt/min = volume × drop factor ÷ minutes.
3. 1,000 mL × 20 gtt/mL ÷ 360 minutes = 55.56 gtt/min.
4. A drop cannot be split, so round to a whole number: 56 gtt/min.
Problem 4
A client with dehydration from vomiting is receiving fluid replacement. Order: 0.9% sodium chloride 500 mL IV over 4 hours. The IV 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: 21 gtt/min
1. Minutes = 4 hours × 60 = 240 minutes.
2. gtt/min = volume × drop factor ÷ minutes.
3. 500 mL × 10 gtt/mL ÷ 240 minutes = 20.83 gtt/min.
4. A drop cannot be split, so round to a whole number: 21 gtt/min.
Problem 5
A client with dehydration needs maintenance fluid replacement. Order: 5% dextrose in water 250 mL IV over 1 hour. The IV 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: 63 gtt/min
1. gtt/min = volume × drop factor ÷ minutes.
2. 250 mL × 15 gtt/mL ÷ 60 minutes = 62.5 gtt/min.
3. A drop cannot be split, so round to a whole number: 63 gtt/min.
Problem 6
Order: 0.45% sodium chloride 1,000 mL IV over 24 hours. The IV 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: 14 gtt/min
1. Minutes = 24 hours × 60 = 1,440 minutes.
2. gtt/min = volume × drop factor ÷ minutes.
3. 1,000 mL × 20 gtt/mL ÷ 1,440 minutes = 13.89 gtt/min.
4. A drop cannot be split, so round to a whole number: 14 gtt/min.
Problem 7
The nurse is caring for a client who has an order for 5% dextrose and 0.45% sodium chloride 1,000 mL IV over 12 hours. The IV 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: 21 gtt/min
1. Minutes = 12 hours × 60 = 720 minutes.
2. gtt/min = volume × drop factor ÷ minutes.
3. 1,000 mL × 15 gtt/mL ÷ 720 minutes = 20.83 gtt/min.
4. A drop cannot be split, so round to a whole number: 21 gtt/min.
Problem 8
Order: 0.9% sodium chloride 250 mL IV over 10 hours. The IV 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: 8 gtt/min
1. Minutes = 10 hours × 60 = 600 minutes.
2. gtt/min = volume × drop factor ÷ minutes.
3. 250 mL × 20 gtt/mL ÷ 600 minutes = 8.33 gtt/min.
4. A drop cannot be split, so round to a whole number: 8 gtt/min.
Problem 9
Order: 5% dextrose in water 500 mL IV over 8 hours. The IV 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: 10 gtt/min
1. Minutes = 8 hours × 60 = 480 minutes.
2. gtt/min = volume × drop factor ÷ minutes.
3. 500 mL × 10 gtt/mL ÷ 480 minutes = 10.42 gtt/min.
4. A drop cannot be split, so round to a whole number: 10 gtt/min.
Problem 10
The nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for lactated Ringer's solution 1,000 mL IV over 1 hour. The IV 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: 167 gtt/min
1. gtt/min = volume × drop factor ÷ minutes.
2. 1,000 mL × 10 gtt/mL ÷ 60 minutes = 166.67 gtt/min.
3. A drop cannot be split, so round to a whole number: 167 gtt/min.

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IV drip rate (macrodrip) practice problems

Problem 1

Problem 2

Problem 3

Problem 4

Problem 5

Problem 6

Problem 7

Problem 8

Problem 9

Problem 10