Flow rate and IV drugs

Last updated: 28/04/2025

Increase your knowledge when it comes to calculations relating to giving fluid medicines over a period of time (continuous infusions), for example, drugs provided intravenously through an IV line.

Search:

Medicine management

Who is this resource for?

This resource is aimed at nurses across all settings and levels of practice, including students of health, social work and care professions.

What will this resource give me?

overview of the ‘PEACE’ problem-solving method
how to calculate flow rate and drop rate
advice on calculating the duration of an infusion
practice examples to test your knowledge.

Resource last reviewed

30 Mar 2025

Resource lead

Heather Randle

The RCN delivers quality-assured and up-to-date resources for the nursing workforce. Reviewed annually in line with the RCN Quality Assurance policy, all RCN Learn resources meet the RCN’s Nine Quality Standards.

Who is this resource for?

This resource is aimed at nurses and nursing support workers across all settings and levels of practice, including students of health, social work and care professions.

Related courses and resources

;

How to perform drug calculations for the safe administration of oral medications

;

How to perform drug calculations for the safe administration of intravenous (IV) infusions and medicines

;

Safe storage and handling of vaccines

Downloaded content date

PDF created on: 18 Sept 2025.

Downloaded from: https://rcnlearn.rcn.org.uk/Search/Flow-rate-and-IV-drugs.

Please check: https://rcnlearn.rcn.org.uk for a more up-to-date version of this content.

Last updated: 28/04/2025