Cefuroxime axetil of 1 g in 50 mL is to be administered over 30 minutes. If the drop factor is 15 gtt/mL, what should the nurse set as the flow rate?

To determine the flow rate of the medication in drops per minute, you can use the formula:

Flow Rate (gtt/min) = (Volume to be infused (mL) × Drop factor (gtt/mL)) / Time (min).

In this situation, the total volume to be infused is 50 mL, the drop factor is 15 gtt/mL, and the time for infusion is 30 minutes.

First, calculate the total volume multiplied by the drop factor:

50 mL × 15 gtt/mL = 750 gtt.

Next, divide this total by the infusion time in minutes:

750 gtt / 30 min = 25 gtt/min.

Thus, the calculated flow rate indicates that the nurse should set the flow rate to 25 drops per minute. This approach ensures the medication is infused at the appropriate speed, maintaining therapeutic levels while minimizing risks of adverse effects from too rapid administration.