FIRST: When obtaining medication—before opening pill packaging or drawing drug up from a vial/ampule.
SECOND: Side-by-side comparison of medication and written order and MAR while preparing drug.
THIRD: After preparation, just before administration at Pt’s bedside—identify Pt and verify Pt’s name band matches medication order.
Formulas: Medication and Infusion Rates
| IV Push and PO Liquid How much solution to draw up. | (Dose Ordered × Total Volume) / Total Amount on Hand |
| Pills or Tablets: How many pills or tablets may need to be scored. | Dose Ordered / Amount per Pill |
| Infusion of Volume Only (e.g., 150 mL/hr). | (Volume/hr × Drip Set Factor) / Time (min) |
| Infusion of Medication (e.g., 20 mg/hr or 20 mg/kg/hr). | [(Dose × Weight × Volume / Total Amount on Hand) × Drip Set Factor] / Time (min) |
| Determine Rate of Existing IV | Drops/min × 60 / Drip Set Factor |
IV Fluid Drip Rate Table (drops/min)*
| IV Drip Set | Rate (mL/hr) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 | 150 | 175 | 200 | 250 | |
| 10 drops/mL | 5 | 8 | 13 | 17 | 21 | 25 | 29 | 33 | 42 |
| 12 drops/mL | 6 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 35 | 40 | 50 |
| 15 drops/mL | 8 | 13 | 19 | 25 | 31 | 37 | 44 | 50 | 62 |
| 20 drops/mL | 10 | 17 | 25 | 33 | 42 | 50 | 58 | 67 | 83 |
| 60 drops/mL | 30 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 | 150 | 175 | 200 | 250 |
*Note: TKO is 30–60 mL/hr. For microdrip tubing, mL/hr is equal to drops/min.