NCLEX RN Safety and Infection Control Questions Related

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A primary health care provider prescribes 1000 mL of 0.45% normal saline solution to run over 8 hours. The drop factor is 15 drops/mL. The nurse plans to adjust the flow rate to how many drops per minute to safely administer this intravenous (IV) solution? Fill in the blank and round answer to the nearest whole number.

Correct Answer: 31

Rationale: The prescribed 1000 mL is to be infused over 8 hours. Follow the formula for calculating IV flow rates and multiply 1000 mL by 15 (drop factor). Then divide the result by 480 minutes (8 hours × 60 minutes). The infusion is to run at 31.2 or 31 drops/min.