Technique/Maintenance Peripheral IVs
drop factor
Pronunciation
(dr
p f
k'tr)
Definitions
The drop rate of the infusion administration set to be used is called the drop factor.
Application
The nurse in the rural clinic needed to set up an infusion to gravity using a primary administration set with a drop factor of 15 at a rate of 125 mL per hour. A formula was needed to set the drip rate.
Drop factor × mL/hour / 60 (minutes) = drop per minute
Keep in Mind
Drop factors vary depending on the size of the drop orifice. Common drop factors are: Primary sets: 10, 15, or 20. Pediatric/micro drip sets: 60. Blood administration sets: 10.
*NOTE: Refer to the back of Bonus Rate Calculation for examples of rate calculations.