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MedTestBankDosage Calculation for Nursing

IV drip rate practice problems

Dosage calculation practice for nursing students: solve unlimited new problems below with instant checking, or work through the 15 problems with answers further down.

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Formula to use

gtt/min = (volume in mL × drop factor in gtt/mL) ÷ time in minutes

Open the iv drip rate (gtt/min) calculator to check your own numbers step by step.

15 practice problems with answers

Solve each problem on paper first, then open the answer to compare every step.

  1. Infuse vancomycin 1 g in 250 mL over 120 minutes by gravity. The tubing drop factor is 20 gtt/mL. How many drops per minute will you count?

    Show the answer
    1. Time in minutes: 120 min.
    2. gtt/min = (250 mL × 20 gtt/mL) ÷ 120 min = 41.67.
    3. Round to the whole drop: 42 gtt/min.

    Answer: 42 gtt/min

  2. Infuse 1,000 mL of D5W over 12 hours by gravity. The tubing drop factor is 20 gtt/mL. How many drops per minute will you count?

    Show the answer
    1. Time in minutes: 720 min.
    2. gtt/min = (1,000 mL × 20 gtt/mL) ÷ 720 min = 27.78.
    3. Round to the whole drop: 28 gtt/min.

    Answer: 28 gtt/min

  3. Infuse vancomycin 1 g in 250 mL over 120 minutes by gravity. The tubing drop factor is 10 gtt/mL. How many drops per minute will you count?

    Show the answer
    1. Time in minutes: 120 min.
    2. gtt/min = (250 mL × 10 gtt/mL) ÷ 120 min = 20.83.
    3. Round to the whole drop: 21 gtt/min.

    Answer: 21 gtt/min

  4. Infuse cefazolin 2 g in 100 mL over 30 minutes by gravity. The tubing drop factor is 10 gtt/mL. How many drops per minute will you count?

    Show the answer
    1. Time in minutes: 30 min.
    2. gtt/min = (100 mL × 10 gtt/mL) ÷ 30 min = 33.33.
    3. Round to the whole drop: 33 gtt/min.

    Answer: 33 gtt/min

  5. Infuse vancomycin 1.5 g in 500 mL over 120 minutes by gravity. The tubing drop factor is 15 gtt/mL. How many drops per minute will you count?

    Show the answer
    1. Time in minutes: 120 min.
    2. gtt/min = (500 mL × 15 gtt/mL) ÷ 120 min = 62.5.
    3. Round to the whole drop: 63 gtt/min.

    Answer: 63 gtt/min

  6. Infuse 1,000 mL of D5 0.45% sodium chloride over 4 hours by gravity. The tubing drop factor is 10 gtt/mL. How many drops per minute will you count?

    Show the answer
    1. Time in minutes: 240 min.
    2. gtt/min = (1,000 mL × 10 gtt/mL) ÷ 240 min = 41.67.
    3. Round to the whole drop: 42 gtt/min.

    Answer: 42 gtt/min

  7. Infuse 250 mL of D5W over 5 hours by gravity. The tubing drop factor is 60 gtt/mL. How many drops per minute will you count?

    Show the answer
    1. Time in minutes: 300 min.
    2. gtt/min = (250 mL × 60 gtt/mL) ÷ 300 min = 50.
    3. Round to the whole drop: 50 gtt/min.

    Answer: 50 gtt/min

  8. Infuse vancomycin 1.5 g in 500 mL over 120 minutes by gravity. The tubing drop factor is 10 gtt/mL. How many drops per minute will you count?

    Show the answer
    1. Time in minutes: 120 min.
    2. gtt/min = (500 mL × 10 gtt/mL) ÷ 120 min = 41.67.
    3. Round to the whole drop: 42 gtt/min.

    Answer: 42 gtt/min

  9. Infuse piperacillin-tazobactam 3.375 g in 100 mL over 30 minutes by gravity. The tubing drop factor is 20 gtt/mL. How many drops per minute will you count?

    Show the answer
    1. Time in minutes: 30 min.
    2. gtt/min = (100 mL × 20 gtt/mL) ÷ 30 min = 66.67.
    3. Round to the whole drop: 67 gtt/min.

    Answer: 67 gtt/min

  10. Infuse levofloxacin 750 mg in 150 mL over 90 minutes by gravity. The tubing drop factor is 15 gtt/mL. How many drops per minute will you count?

    Show the answer
    1. Time in minutes: 90 min.
    2. gtt/min = (150 mL × 15 gtt/mL) ÷ 90 min = 25.
    3. Round to the whole drop: 25 gtt/min.

    Answer: 25 gtt/min

  11. Infuse vancomycin 1 g in 250 mL over 120 minutes by gravity. The tubing drop factor is 15 gtt/mL. How many drops per minute will you count?

    Show the answer
    1. Time in minutes: 120 min.
    2. gtt/min = (250 mL × 15 gtt/mL) ÷ 120 min = 31.25.
    3. Round to the whole drop: 31 gtt/min.

    Answer: 31 gtt/min

  12. Infuse 150 mL of lactated Ringer's over 3 hours by gravity. The tubing drop factor is 60 gtt/mL. How many drops per minute will you count?

    Show the answer
    1. Time in minutes: 180 min.
    2. gtt/min = (150 mL × 60 gtt/mL) ÷ 180 min = 50.
    3. Round to the whole drop: 50 gtt/min.

    Answer: 50 gtt/min

  13. Infuse cefazolin 2 g in 100 mL over 30 minutes by gravity. The tubing drop factor is 20 gtt/mL. How many drops per minute will you count?

    Show the answer
    1. Time in minutes: 30 min.
    2. gtt/min = (100 mL × 20 gtt/mL) ÷ 30 min = 66.67.
    3. Round to the whole drop: 67 gtt/min.

    Answer: 67 gtt/min

  14. Infuse 250 mL of lactated Ringer's over 5 hours by gravity. The tubing drop factor is 60 gtt/mL. How many drops per minute will you count?

    Show the answer
    1. Time in minutes: 300 min.
    2. gtt/min = (250 mL × 60 gtt/mL) ÷ 300 min = 50.
    3. Round to the whole drop: 50 gtt/min.

    Answer: 50 gtt/min

  15. Infuse acetaminophen 1,000 mg in 100 mL over 15 minutes by gravity. The tubing drop factor is 10 gtt/mL. How many drops per minute will you count?

    Show the answer
    1. Time in minutes: 15 min.
    2. gtt/min = (100 mL × 10 gtt/mL) ÷ 15 min = 66.67.
    3. Round to the whole drop: 67 gtt/min.

    Answer: 67 gtt/min