How many milliliters per hour should the IV pump be set for a continuous drip of medication ordered at 2 mg/min with a concentration of 2 mg/mL?

To determine the correct flow rate in milliliters per hour for a continuous IV drip of medication, you must first understand the relationship between the dosage rate, concentration, and the desired flow rate.

The medication order specifies a delivery rate of 2 mg per minute, and the concentration of the solution is 2 mg per mL. To find the flow rate in mL per hour, you can perform the following calculations:

1. Start with the ordered medication rate of 2 mg/min.

2. Since the concentration is 2 mg/mL, you can calculate the volume required to achieve 2 mg:

• Volume (mL) = Dose (mg) ÷ Concentration (mg/mL)

• Volume (mL) = 2 mg ÷ 2 mg/mL = 1 mL/min

3. Next, convert the flow rate from minutes to hours. There are 60 minutes in an hour, so you multiply the flow rate by 60:

• Flow rate (mL/hr) = 1 mL/min × 60 min/hr = 60 mL/hr

This calculation confirms that the IV pump should be set at 60 mL/hr to deliver the prescribed