A client receives a prescription for dextrose 5% in water 500 mL IV to be infused over 4 hours. The IV administration set delivers 15 gtt/mL. How many gtt/min should the nurse regulate the infusion? (Enter numerical value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest whole number.)

To find out how many gtt/min the nurse should regulate the infusion;

We can use the following formula:

Flowrate(gtt/min) = Totalvolume(mL) / Time(min) ​× Dropfactor(gtt/mL)

Given:

Total volume = 500 mL

Time = 4 hours = 240 minutes (since 1 hour = 60 minutes)

Drop factor = 15 gtt/mL

Substituting the given values into the formula:

Flowrate(gtt/min) =500mL/240min​ ×15gtt/mL

After performing the calculation, we find that the flow rate equals 31.25 gtt/min.

So, the nurse should regulate the infusion to 31 gtt/min (rounded to the nearest whole number).

A) Expresses that they cannot get enough air to breathe: While this statement suggests respiratory distress, it is not as objective an assessment finding as a respiratory rate of 7 breaths/minute. Objective measurements are typically more reliable indicators for initiating interventions.
B) Respiratory rate of 7 breaths/minute: A respiratory rate of 7 breaths/minute is indicative of respiratory depression, which is a potential side effect of opioid analgesics like morphine sulfate. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression. Administering a prescribed PRN dose of naloxone is appropriate to counteract the respiratory depression and prevent further complications.
C) Bilateral wheezing on auscultation: Wheezing is more commonly associated with bronchoconstriction or airway obstruction rather than opioid-induced respiratory depression. Naloxone is not indicated for wheezing unless there is concurrent opioid-induced respiratory depression.
D) Pulse oximeter reading of 89% on room air: While a pulse oximeter reading of 89% indicates hypoxemia, it may not be solely due to opioid-induced respiratory depression. Other factors, such as hypoventilation, ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) mismatch, or lung disease, could contribute to decreased oxygen saturation. Administering naloxone solely based on pulse oximetry readings may not address the underlying cause adequately. It is essential to assess the client comprehensively, considering clinical signs and symptoms along with objective data.