The nurse receives an order to administer 1,500 mL D5W IV over 12 hours. The drop factor is 15 drops/1 mL. The IV flow rate should be set at how many drops per minute? Round to the nearest whole number.

Answer: 31 drops/min

Solution: Use the formula: total volume of solution/time in minutes . Substitute and solve: 1,500 mL/720 min = 2.08 mL/min . 2.08 mL/min × drop factor = 2.08 mL/min × 15 drops/1 mL = 31.2 drops/min . Round to the nearest whole number: 31 drops per minute .