Math in the Workplace: Overview

Math in the Workplace - Measurements

Problem:

You are the physician caring for an 8 year old boy in the hospital. He weighs 62 pounds. You need to calculate a flow rate for his IV fluids. You use the following rule of thumb to determine the appropriate flow rate:

4 cc per hour per Kg for the first 10 Kg of bodyweight.
(1 Kg = 2.2 pounds)

Plus 2 cc per hour per Kg for the next 10 Kg of bodyweight

Plus 1 cc per hour per Kg for bodyweight over 20 Kg.

How fast should this boy's IV run in cc per hour?

Solution:

Convert 62 pounds to Kg.

62 lbs. 2.2 lbs./Kg

= 28 Kg

First 10 Kg:	@ 4 cc/hKg =	40 cc/h
Second 10 Kg:	@ 2 cc/hKg =	20 cc/h
Final 8 Kg:	@ 1 cc/hKg =	8 cc/h
	Answer:	68 cc/h

Math in the Workplace: Overview