In drip rate problems you will often have to convert both the amount of the drug (usually
the quantity in the numerator of the drip fraction) and the time factor (usually the quantity
in the denominator of the drip rate fraction). This is done as explained and demonstrated
in the first of the drip rate conversions shown below.
1. The medication order for a patient is 400 ml of a drug over a 3 hour period at a drop
rate (drip factor) of 15 gtt (drops)/ml. What is the drip rate in drops/min?
The application rate of the medication is 400 ml in 3 hours at 15 drops/ml
The desired conversion is
To convert the top unit from ml to drops multiply by the factor
To convert the bottom unit from hr to min multiply by the factor
2. The order for a patient is 900 cc at 30 ml/hr at 15 drops/ml. What is the drip rate in
drops/ml and how long will administration of this drug take to deliver the 900 cc?
The desired conversion is
To convert the top unit from ml to drops multiply by the factor
To convert the bottom unit from hr to min multiply by the factor
3. Insulin is to be administered to a patient at a drip rate of 20 cc/hr with an insulin
solution which contains 50 units in 500 cc. How many units per hour is the patient
receiving?
4. A patient is to be given 650 ml of a drug over a 5 hour period at 20 drops/ml. What will
be the drip rate?
5. How long will it take to administer 1000 cc at a drop factor of 15 drop/ml and a drip
rate of 50 drop/min?
Tutorial Exam #3
1 pound (lb) = 16 oz
1 ton = 200 pounds
1 ft = 12 in
1 yd = 3 ft
1 qt = 2 pt
1 gal = 4 qt
1 min = 60 sec
1 hr = 60 min
1 kg = 1000 g
1000 mg = 1 g
1,000,000 mcg = 1 g
1 km = 1000 m
1000 mm = 1 m
1,000,000 mcm = 1 m
1000 ml = 1 l
1,000,000 mcl = 1 l
1 kg = 2.2 lb
1 pint = 500 ml
2.54 cm = 1 in
1 fl oz = 30 ml
1 tsp = 5 ml
1 tbsp = 15 ml
1 cc = 1 ml
100 cm = 1 m
1.
You are to administer 50 mg of a drug to a patient. How many micrograms is this?
50,000
.80
.05
3125
2.
A patient is to be given .060 mg of Levo-thyroxine sodium po qd (by mouth daily) which is
available in 120 mcg tablets. How many tablets shoud be administered to the patient?
.0072
.5
7200
5
3. A patient is to receive morphine sulfate solution which has a concentration of 2
mg/ml. The order is for 12 mg to be delivered over a 4 hour period. How many ml of the
solution should be administered?
60
.60
6
50
4. A patient who weighs 60 lbs is to be given a medication which should be administered
at the dosage of .02 mg per kg of patient weight. How many mcg of the medication should
be administered to the patient?
5.45
15
20
545
5. A patient is to be given 2,000 units of a drug sq tid (subcutaneous three times daily).
The drug is available in vials which contain 800 IU per 2 ml vial. How many ml of the drug
should be given to patient in each dose?
50
20
4
5
6. The medication order for a patient is 500 ml of a drug over a 4 hour period at a drop
rate (drip factor) of 20 gtt (drops)/ml. What is the drip rate in drops/min?
30
25
41.7
1.6
7. The order for a patient is 750 cc at 20 ml/hr at 15 drops/ml. What is the drip rate in
drops/min and how long will administration of this drug take to deliver the 750 cc?
40, 6.5
5, 37.5
20, 5
15, 3
8. Insulin is to be adminstratered to a patient at a drip rate 30 cc/hr with an insulin
solution which contains 40 units in 500 cc. How many units per hour is the patient
receiving?
2.4
40
12
8
9. A patient is to be given 550 ml of a drug over a 4 hour period at 15 drops/ml. What
will be the drip rate?
34.4
22
13
6.5
10. How long will it take to administer 800 cc at a drop factor of 15 drop/ml and a drip
rate of 40 drop/min?
60
300
30
12
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