A client is to receive an IV infusion of 1 L of D5NS. If the IV infusion pump is set to deliver 60 mL/hr, the infusion will be completed in 16 hours and which of the following?

• A. 5 min
• B. 10 min
• C. 20 min
• D. 40 min

Answer: (D)

The key idea is how long it takes to infuse a given volume at a set rate. Time to infuse = total volume / infusion rate.

Here, total volume is 1 liter, which is 1000 mL. The rate is 60 mL per hour. 1000 ÷ 60 = 16.666... hours, which is 16 hours plus 0.666... of an hour. Converting the fractional hour to minutes: 0.666... × 60 = 40 minutes. So the infusion finishes in 16 hours and 40 minutes. The extra 40 minutes beyond the initial 16 hours is the answer, matching the 40-minute choice.