D10 at 20 mL/hr Delivers 2 Grams of Carbohydrate Per Hour
When infusing 10% dextrose in water (D10) at 20 mL per hour, you are delivering 2 grams of dextrose (carbohydrate) per hour.
Calculation Method
- D10 contains 10 grams of dextrose per 100 mL of solution 1, 2
- At an infusion rate of 20 mL/hour:
- 20 mL/hour × (10 grams/100 mL) = 2 grams/hour
- Over 24 hours, this delivers: 2 grams/hour × 24 hours = 48 grams total 1, 3
Clinical Context and Adequacy
This rate is substantially lower than standard clinical recommendations for dextrose infusions:
- Standard D10 dosing for diabetic patients with interrupted nutrition is 50 mL/hour (5 grams/hour), which delivers 120 grams over 24 hours 1, 3
- The American College of Critical Care Medicine suggests critically ill patients should receive 200-300 grams of dextrose per day as part of their nutritional regimen 2
- Your rate of 20 mL/hour provides only 16-24% of recommended daily carbohydrate intake for a typical 70 kg patient 2
Common Clinical Pitfall
At 2 grams/hour, this infusion rate provides minimal nutritional support and is insufficient to prevent hypoglycemia in diabetic patients receiving basal insulin 1. The American Diabetes Association recommends 5 grams/hour (50 mL/hour of D10) when tube feeding is interrupted in patients receiving insulin coverage 1, 3.
Insulin Coverage Considerations
- If this patient is receiving insulin, the American Diabetes Association recommends approximately 1 unit of insulin for every 10-15 grams of carbohydrate 2, 3
- At 2 grams/hour (48 grams/24 hours), this would require only 3-5 units of insulin per 24 hours for nutritional coverage alone 2