IV Fluid & Drug Calculation Formulas with Metric
Conversion Table
I. IV Fluid Calculation Formulas
1. Flow Rate (mL/hr): Flow rate (mL/hr) = Total volume (mL) ÷ Total time (hr)
2. Drop Rate (gtt/min): Drop rate (gtt/min) = (Total volume (mL) × Drop factor (gtt/mL)) ÷ Total time
(min)
3. Infusion Time: Infusion time (hr) = Total volume (mL) ÷ Flow rate (mL/hr)
4. Volume to Infuse: Volume to infuse (mL) = Flow rate (mL/hr) × Infusion time (hr)
II. IV Drug Calculation Formulas
1. Basic Formula: Desired dose (D) = (Dose ordered ÷ Dose on hand) × Quantity (Q)
2. IV Medication in mL/hr: mL/hr = Total volume (mL) ÷ Time (hr)
3. IV Bolus Dose: Dose required = Patient weight (kg) × Dose ordered (mg or mcg/kg)
4. Continuous Infusion: mcg/min = (Total drug (mg) × 1000 ÷ Total volume (mL)) × mL/min
5. Weight-Based Infusion: mL/hr = (Dose (mcg/kg/min) × Weight (kg) × 60 × Volume (mL)) ÷ Drug
concentration (mcg)
6. Time-Based Dose: mL/hr = Dose ordered per hr ÷ Concentration (mg or mcg/mL)
7. Pediatric Formula (Clark’s Rule): Child’s dose = (Weight in lbs ÷ 150) × Adult dose
Or (BSA method): Child’s dose = (BSA (m²) ÷ 1.73) × Adult dose
III. Metric Conversion Table
Unit Equivalent
1 kg 1000 g
1g 1000 mg
1 mg 1000 mcg
1L 1000 mL
1 mL 1 cc
1 tsp 5 mL
1 tbsp 15 mL
1 oz 30 mL
1 cup 240 mL
1 lb 2.2 kg
1 in 2.54 cm