Incorrect. 40 mL/kg/day of sodium chloride 0.9% are required. The patient weighs 60kg and so requires 60x40 = 2400 mL/day.2400 mL/day equates to 2400/(24x60) = 1.6666667 mL/min.
The fluid administration set delivers 15 drops/mL. The patient therefore requires 1.6666667x15 = 25 drops/minute.
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Whenever infusion fluids are to be administered via gravity flow, as opposed to via infusion pump, the fluid administration rate must be converted to drops/minute. Checking how many drops the fluid administration set delivers per mL is a vital part of the associated prescribing calculation.
More practice drop rate questions can be found here.
The Calculation Skills Station of the PSA also includes tablet-based prescribing calculations. Try the example below.
A 74-year-old woman with community-acquired pneumonia requires a week’s course of amoxicillin 0.5 g ORAL 8-hrly. Amoxicillin is available in 250 mg capsules. The patient weighs 81 kg.
Over the course of her treatment, what total amount of capsules should the patient be given?
