How Do You Calculate Constant Rate Infusion?
Calculating constant rate infusion is a procedure routinely done in hospitals and veterinary clinics. Constant rate infusion is delivering the continuous intravenous supply of medication, usually through a computerized delivery device, to maintain constant blood levels of medication. Examples of drugs that are delivered this way are propofol, ketamine, insulin and dopamine. Performing this calculation is very important. Calculating too little may not induce the desired effects of the drug administered. Calculating too much may create health complications. Find the number of micrograms (ug) of the medication to be administered, and the person or animal’s weight, in kilograms (kg). Micrograms of drug are given in dosage orders. If weight is not given in the doctor’s orders, ask the patient or pet owner. If unsure, use a scale. Calculate the number of minutes that a given intravenous fluid must last for a specific individual or animal. Perform this calculation by dividing the volume in th
