The physician ordered Solu-Cortef (hydrocortisone sodium succinate) 250 mg in 1000 mL over 10 hours with a drop factor of 10 gtt/mL. What is the correct IV flow rate in drops per minute? Use the standard formula to solve this problem. Round off to the nearest whole number.
A) 15
B) 17
C) 19
D) 21

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

For IV piggyback problems, use the standard calculation formula used for IVs: Total milliliters * TF/minutes = gtt/minute. Therefore, 1000 mL * 10 gtt/mL ÷ 600 minutes ( 10 hrs × 60 minutes) = 10,000/600 = 16.66 gtt/minute; round off to 17 gtt/minute.

The Physician Ordered Solu-Cortef (Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate) 250 Mg in 1000