The physician orders 1000 mL of D5W to infuse over 8 hours. The IV tubing has a drop factor of 10 gtt/mL. What is the drip rate in drops per minute? Round to the nearest whole number.

Choice A reason: To calculate drip rate: (1000 mL ÷ 8 hours) × (10 gtt/mL ÷ 60 min/hour) = 1250 ÷ 60 = 20.83 gtt/min. Rounded to the nearest whole number, 21 gtt/min is correct for the infusion. Choice B reason: A rate of 25 gtt/min overestimates the infusion, delivering 1000 mL in about 6.7 hours, not 8. The calculated rate is 20.83 gtt/min, making 25 incorrect after rounding to 21. Choice C reason: 28 gtt/min delivers 1000 mL too quickly (about 6 hours). The formula yields 20.83 gtt/min, and rounding to 21 is accurate, making 28 gtt/min incorrect for the ordered infusion. Choice D reason: 31 gtt/min significantly exceeds the required rate, infusing 1000 mL in about 5.4 hours. The correct rate is 20.83 gtt/min, rounded to 21, making 31 gtt/min incorrect.