Dosage Calculations
Question
An adult client with dehydration secondary to gastroenteritis is prescribed 500 mL of Lactated Ringer’s intravenous solution to infuse over 4 hours using an electronic infusion pump. At what rate in mL/hr should the nurse set the pump? Round to the nearest whole number.
125 mL/hr
Typed answer in mL/hr, rounded to a whole number.
Answer
125 mL/hr
Rationale
To calculate the pump delivery rate, the prescribed total infusion volume is divided across the planned duration in hours. Setting an accurate hourly rate ensures appropriate fluid replenishment while avoiding accidental volume overload.
Worked solution: Rate = 500 mL ÷ 4 hr = 125 mL/hr.
Sources
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- Lactated Ringers (sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium lactate and calcium chloride) intravenous prescribing information, Baxter Healthcare Company
- Adapted from Open RN Nursing Skills, 2nd edition: Chapter 5 Math Calculations
- Adapted from Open RN Nursing Skills, 2nd edition: Chapter 23 IV Therapy Management
- Adapted from Open RN Nursing Advanced Skills: Chapter 1 Initiate IV Therapy
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