The MD orders 1 L of LR to infuse at 150 mL/h for a post-op patient.

The tubing drop factor is 10gtts/mL. Calculate the flow rate in drops per minute.

(ROUND TO WHOLE NUMBER, LABEL CORRECTLY TO RECEIVE CREDIT)

Choice A rationale

Reading newsprint at 20 inches assesses near vision, but it is not the standard clinical method for comprehensive visual acuity assessment. While it can provide some insight into the patient's functional near vision, a more precise and standardized tool like a Jaeger card or specific near vision charts are preferred for accurate diagnostic evaluation.

Choice B rationale

The Jaeger card is specifically designed to assess near visual acuity, typically held at 14 inches (35 cm) from the eye. While useful for evaluating reading vision, it does not provide information about distance visual acuity, which is a primary component of a comprehensive eye examination and is assessed using a Snellen chart.

Choice C rationale

The confrontation test assesses peripheral vision, not central visual acuity. It involves the examiner bringing fingers or objects into the patient's field of vision from various directions. While an important part of a complete eye examination to detect visual field defects, it does not quantify the sharpness of central vision.

Choice D rationale

The Snellen chart is the gold standard for assessing distance visual acuity. Positioning it 20 feet away standardizes the testing distance, allowing for accurate measurement of visual acuity as a fraction (e.g., 20/20). This provides a reliable and reproducible measure of central vision, critical for diagnosing and monitoring visual impairments.

Step 1 is to determine the total infusion time in minutes. 1 L = 1000 mL. 1000 mL ÷ (150 mL/h) = 6.666. hours. 6.666. hours × (60 min/hour) = 400 minutes.

Step 2 is to calculate the flow rate in drops per minute. (1000 mL ÷ 400 min) × (10 gtts/mL) = 25 gtts/min. The flow rate is 25 gtts/min.