The physician has ordered Tagamet (cimetidine) 300 mg in 50 mL D5W over 30 minutes with a drop factor of 10 gtt/mL. What is the correct IV flow rate in drops per minute? Use both the standard formula and dimensional analysis to solve this problem. Round off to the nearest whole number.
A) 16
B) 17
C) 50
D) 100

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

For IV piggyback problems, use the standard calculation formula used for IVs: Milliliters *TF/Minutes = gtt/minute. Therefore, 50 mL *10 gtt/mL ÷ 30 minutes = 500/30 = 16.6 gtt/minute; round off to 17 gtt/minute. Use this formula for dimensional analysis: gtt/mL * mL/minute. Therefore, 10 gtt/1mL * 50 mL/30 minutes = 10 gtt * 50/1 * 30 minutes = 500/30 =16.6 gtt/minute; round off to 17 gtt/minute.

The Physician Has Ordered Tagamet (Cimetidine) 300 Mg in 50