Nursing Formulas and Shortcuts
IV Flow Rate Computaton
Macrodrops/gtts
For 20mL drop factor:
Infusion Rate = IV fuii olume / Hours of infusion X irop factor / 60 (minutes in 1 full hour)
Example: PNSS 1000mL / 8hours X 20 DF / 60 = 41.67 or 41 – 42gts/min
Shortcut: PNSS 1000mL / 8hours / 3 = 41.67 or 41 – 42gts/min
For 15mL drop factor:
Infusion Rate = IV fuii olume / Hours of infusion X irop factor / 60 (minutes in 1 full hour)
Example: PNSS 1000mL / 8hours X 15 DF / 60 = 31.25 or 31gts/min
Microdrops/µgtts
60mL drop factor:
Infusion Rate = IV fuii olume / Hours of infusion X 60 DF / 60 (minutes in 1 full hour)
Example: D5 0.3 500mL / 8hours X 60 DF / 60 = 62.5 or 62 - 63 µgts/min
Shortcut: D5 0.3 500mL / 8hours = 62.5 or 62 - 63 µgts/min
Dosage Calculaton
For Ampules and Vials
Desirei iose / Stock Dose X Stock Volume = Drug to be gi en
Example:
Orier: Gi e 200mg Paracetamol Thru IV STAT
Current stock: Paracetamol 300mg/2mL ampule
200mg (iesirei) / 300mg (stock iose) X 2mL (stock olume) = 1.3mL (irug to be gi en)
Shortcut:
Orier: Gi e 130mg Amikacin Thru IV OD
Current Stock: Amikacin (125mg/mL) in 2mL ial
130mg (iesirei) / 125mg = 1.04mL (irug to be gi en)
Explanaton: Amikacin’s total stock iose is 250mg/2mL. Though it may be writen on the irug label
125mg/mL in a 2mL ial. To io the shortcut, you may ii iie the iesirei iose by the simplifei stock
iose right away resultng with the same answer using the correct or long formula.
IV Flow Rate Computaton
Macrodrops/gtts
For 20mL drop factor:
Infusion Rate = IV fuii olume / Hours of infusion X irop factor / 60 (minutes in 1 full hour)
Example: PNSS 1000mL / 8hours X 20 DF / 60 = 41.67 or 41 – 42gts/min
Shortcut: PNSS 1000mL / 8hours / 3 = 41.67 or 41 – 42gts/min
For 15mL drop factor:
Infusion Rate = IV fuii olume / Hours of infusion X irop factor / 60 (minutes in 1 full hour)
Example: PNSS 1000mL / 8hours X 15 DF / 60 = 31.25 or 31gts/min
Microdrops/µgtts
60mL drop factor:
Infusion Rate = IV fuii olume / Hours of infusion X 60 DF / 60 (minutes in 1 full hour)
Example: D5 0.3 500mL / 8hours X 60 DF / 60 = 62.5 or 62 - 63 µgts/min
Shortcut: D5 0.3 500mL / 8hours = 62.5 or 62 - 63 µgts/min
Dosage Calculaton
For Ampules and Vials
Desirei iose / Stock Dose X Stock Volume = Drug to be gi en
Example:
Orier: Gi e 200mg Paracetamol Thru IV STAT
Current stock: Paracetamol 300mg/2mL ampule
200mg (iesirei) / 300mg (stock iose) X 2mL (stock olume) = 1.3mL (irug to be gi en)
Shortcut:
Orier: Gi e 130mg Amikacin Thru IV OD
Current Stock: Amikacin (125mg/mL) in 2mL ial
130mg (iesirei) / 125mg = 1.04mL (irug to be gi en)
Explanaton: Amikacin’s total stock iose is 250mg/2mL. Though it may be writen on the irug label
125mg/mL in a 2mL ial. To io the shortcut, you may ii iie the iesirei iose by the simplifei stock
iose right away resultng with the same answer using the correct or long formula.
