Medications

Question 1

What is the formula for drug calculations?

Answer 1

prescribed dose X unit volume divided by unit/medication strength = volume to give (mls)

or

what you want divided by what you’ve got, multiple volume divided by 1 = amount to give (mls)

Question 2

How to prime a line?

Answer 2

1. Hang fluid on drip stand
2. Close the flow control
3. Insert spike into tube opening (pointy end first) insert firmly
4. Open end of line (giving set) holding line over sink/down to allow fluid to flow when open
5. Squeeze filling chamber to fill to half way
6. Release roller ball clamp (down) to allow fluid to run through the line
7. Let fluid flow all the way through, ensuring no bubbles are in the line (big bubbles), tap/flick to remove
8. Close the roller ball clamp (up)
9. Attach giving set to cannula line (year 3)
10. Set drip rate with roller ball clamp

Question 3

What is drip rate?

Answer 3

The number of drops that enter the filling chamber each minute determining the speed at which fluid enters the patient.

Question 4

How do you calculate the drip rate?

Answer 4

1. First calculate the ml/hr = (what you want to give divided by time frame in hours ) e.g 1000ml /8hrs = 125ml/hr
2. Then calculate ml/min = (ml/hr divided by 60 mins) e.g 125ml/60 = 2ml/min
   - standard giving set = 20 drops in 1ml
3. Therefore 2ml x 20 drops = 40 drops/min