1. What is Flow Rate Dosage Calculation?

Definition: This calculator determines the intravenous (IV) flow rate in milliliters per hour based on the total volume to be infused and the infusion time.

Purpose: It helps medical professionals and caregivers accurately administer IV fluids or medications over a specified period.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( Q_{ml} \) — Flow rate (milliliters per hour)
• \( V_d \) — Total volume to be infused (milliliters)
• \( t \) — Total infusion time (hours)

Explanation: The total volume is divided by the infusion time to determine the rate at which the IV should be administered.

3. Importance of Accurate Flow Rate Calculation

Details: Proper flow rate calculation ensures patient safety, prevents fluid overload, and ensures medications are delivered at the correct therapeutic rate.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total volume in milliliters and the infusion time in hours. All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What if my infusion time is in minutes?
A: Convert minutes to hours by dividing by 60 before entering the value (e.g., 120 minutes = 2 hours).

Q2: How precise should my flow rate be?
A: For most medications, precision to 1 decimal place is sufficient. Critical medications may require more precision.

Q3: What's a typical flow rate range?
A: Maintenance IV rates are often 50-100 mL/h, but this varies based on patient needs and medication requirements.

Q4: How do I account for drop factor?
A: This calculator gives mL/h. For drops/min (gtt/min), multiply mL/h by the drop factor (gtt/mL) and divide by 60.

Q5: What if I need to pause the infusion?
A: Recalculate the flow rate using the remaining volume and adjusted time if the infusion schedule changes.