A client is ordered to receive 1,000 ml of D5W over 6 hours. The infusion set administers 10 gtt/mL. At what rate (gtt/min) should the nurse set the flow?

  1. 24 gtt/min
  2. 26 gtt/min
  3. 28 gtt/min
  4. 30 gtt/min
Number 3 is correct.
Solution: Determine flow rate by multiplying rate of infusion and number of drops per milliliter of the fluid being administered: amount of solution (mL)/time (in minutes) × drop factor (gtt/ml) = flow rate (gtt/min). Substitute and solve: 1,000 ml/360 min (6 hrs × 60 min/hr) × 10 gtt/mL = 27.7 gtt/min Round up to find the flow rate: 28 gtts/min