IV Push Rate Calculator
Calculate safe medication administration speeds for nursing and clinical care.
Administration Schedule
Understanding IV Push Rate Calculations
Intravenous (IV) push medication administration requires precise timing to ensure patient safety and therapeutic efficacy. Administering medication too quickly—known as "speed shock"—can lead to adverse reactions, including cardiac arrest, respiratory distress, or severe hypotension. This calculator helps healthcare professionals break down the total volume into manageable increments over the prescribed time.
The Standard Formula
To determine the rate of an IV push, you must know the total volume in milliliters (mL) and the recommended delivery time from the drug manufacturer or hospital protocol. The basic steps are:
- Step 1: Determine the total volume of the medication after reconstitution/dilution.
- Step 2: Identify the recommended time (e.g., push over 2 to 5 minutes).
- Step 3: Divide the total volume by the total minutes to find mL/minute.
- Step 4: Further divide the rate into 15-second or 30-second intervals to maintain a steady manual push.
Example Calculation
Scenario: You are ordered to give 4 mg of Morphine. The concentration is 2 mg/mL. The drug handbook states to push at a rate not exceeding 2 mg per minute.
1. Total Volume: 2 mL (since 4mg / 2mg per mL = 2 mL).
2. Total Time: 2 minutes.
3. Rate per minute: 2 mL / 2 minutes = 1 mL per minute.
4. 15-second increment: 1 mL / 4 = 0.25 mL every 15 seconds.
Clinical Safety Tips
Always verify the "Six Rights" of medication administration before proceeding. When performing an IV push:
- Flush the IV line with 0.9% Sodium Chloride before and after the medication to ensure the full dose is delivered and to check for patency.
- Use a watch with a second hand or a digital timer to ensure you do not push faster than calculated.
- Observe the patient's site for signs of infiltration or phlebitis during the administration.