Worked example

IV flow rate (mL/hr) — practice problem 3

An order reads: infuse 250 mL of lactated Ringer's over 3 hours using an IV pump.

Volume250 mL

Time3 hr

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

Answer: 83 mL/hr

Step-by-step solution

1. Divide the volume by the time in hours

250 mL ÷ 3 hr

= 83.33 mL/hr

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

83.33 mL/hr ≈ 83 mL/hr

= 83 mL/hr