The nurse needs to infuse 500 mL of D5 NS over three hours. Unfortunately there are no pumps available. The administration set is 10 gets/ml. Calculate the gtts/min

To calculate the drip rate in drops per minute (gtts/min) for the infusion, we can use the following formula:

\[
\text{gtts/min} = \left( \frac{\text{Total volume to infuse} \times \text{Drop factor}}{\text{Time in minutes}} \right)
\]

Where:
- **Total volume to infuse** = 500 mL
- **Drop factor** = 10 gtts/mL (from the administration set)
- **Time** = 3 hours = 180 minutes (3 hours × 60 minutes/hour)

Now, let's plug these values into the formula:

\[
\text{gtts/min} = \left( \frac{500 \, \text{mL} \times 10 \, \text{gtts/mL}}{180 \, \text{min}} \right)
\]

\[
\text{gtts/min} = \left( \frac{5000}{180} \right) \approx 27.78 \, \text{gtts/min}
\]

Rounding to the nearest whole number:

\[
\text{gtts/min} \approx 28
\]

### Conclusion:
The nurse should administer the IV at **28 gtts/min** to infuse 500 mL over 3 hours.

Would you like more details or have any questions? Here are some related questions:

1. How do you adjust the drip rate if the infusion time changes?
2. What happens if the drop factor changes to 15 gtts/mL?
3. How would you calculate the drip rate for a 4-hour infusion?
4. What is the impact of overestimating or underestimating the drip rate?
5. How do pumps simplify this calculation?

**Tip**: Always ensure to monitor the actual drip rate during administration, as factors like tubing position and patient movement can affect it.

The nurse needs to infuse 500 mL of D5 NS over three hours. Unfortunately, there are no pumps available. The administration set is 10 gtts/mL. Calculate the gtts/min.

Learn how to calculate the IV drip rate for an infusion of 500 mL over three hours using a 10 gtts/mL administration set. This step-by-step guide shows the formula for drip rate calculation, making it easier to understand the process for healthcare professionals. Suitable for Grades 9-12.

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