The healthcare provider prescribes 500 mL of 0.45% normal saline with 100 units regular insulin to infuse at 15 units/hour. The drop factor is 20 gtt/mL. The nurse should regulate the IV to deliver how many gtt/minute? (Enter numerical value only.)

Calculation: Determine the concentration of insulin in the solution. Total units of insulin = 100 units Total volume of solution = 500 mL Concentration = 100 units / 500 mL = 0.2 units/mL. Calculate the infusion rate in milliliters per hour (mL/hr) based on the prescribed insulin units/hour. Desired insulin rate = 15 units/hour Infusion rate (mL/hr) = Desired insulin rate (units/hr) / Concentration (units/mL) = 15 units/hour / 0.2 units/mL = 75 mL/hour. Convert the infusion rate from milliliters per hour (mL/hr) to milliliters per minute (mL/min). Infusion rate in mL/min = 75 mL/hr / 60 min/hr = 1.25 mL/min. Calculate the flow rate in drops per minute (gtt/min). Drop factor = 20 gtt/mL. Flow rate (gtt/min) = Infusion rate (mL/min) × Drop factor (gtt/mL) = 1.25 mL/min × 20 gtt/mL = 25 gtt/min. Answer: 25