Worked example

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

An order reads: infuse 500 mL of D5 1/2 NS over 8 hours using an IV pump.

Volume500 mL

Time8 hr

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

Answer: 63 mL/hr

Step-by-step solution

1. Divide the volume by the time in hours

500 mL ÷ 8 hr

= 62.5 mL/hr

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

62.5 mL/hr ≈ 63 mL/hr

= 63 mL/hr