From the Research
To administer 100 ml of normal saline in 30 minutes using a macrodrip with a drop factor of 15 drops per ml, the drop rate should be 50 drops per minute. This calculation is performed by multiplying the total volume (100 ml) by the drop factor (15 drops/ml) to get 1500 total drops, then dividing by the total time in minutes (30 minutes) to determine the rate. The formula is: (Volume × Drop factor) ÷ Time = Drop rate. In this case, (100 ml × 15 drops/ml) ÷ 30 minutes = 50 drops/minute. When administering IV fluids, maintaining the correct drop rate is essential for patient safety, ensuring the fluid is delivered at the prescribed rate. Too fast a rate could lead to fluid overload, while too slow a rate might not achieve the therapeutic goal in the desired timeframe. The nurse should count drops for a full minute when starting the infusion and periodically check to ensure the rate remains consistent throughout the administration period, as supported by general medical knowledge and not directly influenced by studies such as 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, which discuss various aspects of fluid resuscitation but do not directly address the calculation of drop rates for IV fluid administration.