From the Research
To administer 137 ml of formula over 90 minutes, you should set the feeding rate at 91.3 ml per hour. This is calculated by converting the total time from minutes to hours (90 minutes = 1.5 hours) and then dividing the total volume by the time (137 ml ÷ 1.5 hours = 91.3 ml/hour) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. When programming an enteral feeding pump, you would enter 91.3 ml/hour as your rate. If you're using a gravity-fed system without a pump, you would need to count drops and adjust the roller clamp to achieve approximately 91.3 ml/hour, which equals about 1.5 ml per minute. This rate ensures the formula is delivered evenly throughout the 90-minute period, which helps with digestion and absorption compared to administering the formula too quickly. Some studies have shown that early enteral nutrition can be beneficial in certain patient populations, such as pediatric patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation 5. However, the specific infusion rate of 91.3 ml/hour is not directly addressed in these studies, and the calculation is based on basic mathematical principles. It's worth noting that the provided evidence does not directly relate to the question of infusion rate, but rather to the management of enteral nutrition in various patient populations 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. In clinical practice, it's essential to consider the individual patient's needs and medical condition when determining the appropriate infusion rate. Key points to consider when administering enteral nutrition include:
- The patient's nutritional status and requirements
- The type and volume of formula to be administered
- The infusion rate and duration
- The patient's tolerance to the formula and infusion rate
- The potential for gastrointestinal complications or other adverse effects. In this case, the calculated infusion rate of 91.3 ml/hour is based on the provided volume and time, and is intended to ensure safe and effective delivery of the formula.