Worked example

IV flow rate (mL/hr) — practice problem 5

An order reads: infuse 50 mL of D5 1/2 NS over 4 hours using an IV pump.

Volume50 mL

Time4 hr

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

Answer: 13 mL/hr

Step-by-step solution

1. Divide the volume by the time in hours

50 mL ÷ 4 hr

= 12.5 mL/hr

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

12.5 mL/hr ≈ 13 mL/hr

= 13 mL/hr