Worked example

IV flow rate (mL/hr) — practice problem 1

An order reads: infuse 1000 mL of D5W over 3 hours using an IV pump.

Volume1000 mL

Time3 hr

What rate (mL/hr) should the pump be set to?

Answer: 333 mL/hr

Step-by-step solution

1. Divide the volume by the time in hours

1000 mL ÷ 3 hr

= 333.33 mL/hr

2. Round to a whole mL/hr the pump can be set to

333.33 mL/hr ≈ 333 mL/hr

= 333 mL/hr