The nurse is preparing to give a client with dehydration IV fluids delivered at a continuous rate of 175 mL/hr. Which device is used to regulate this flow?

The nurse is preparing to give a client with dehydration IV fluids delivered at a continuous rate of 175 mL/hr. Which device is used to regulate this flow?

• A. Gravity drip
• B. Electronic flow regulator
• C. Cassette infusion pump
• D. Syringe pump

Answer: (C)

Delivering IV fluids at a steady, prescribed rate requires a device that can automate precise flow. A cassette infusion pump uses a peristaltic mechanism with a disposable cassette to control the exact rate and volume delivered, making it well suited for continuous infusions like rehydration at 175 mL per hour. Other options are less precise for this purpose: a gravity drip relies on height and tubing, so the flow can vary with viscosity and setup; an electronic flow regulator can improve accuracy on a gravity line but doesn’t offer the same continuous, programmable control as a pump; a syringe pump is designed for small-volume, highly controlled delivery from a syringe, not for delivering hundreds of milliliters per hour.

Delivering IV fluids at a steady, prescribed rate requires a device that can automate precise flow. A cassette infusion pump uses a peristaltic mechanism with a disposable cassette to control the exact rate and volume delivered, making it well suited for continuous infusions like rehydration at 175 mL per hour.

Other options are less precise for this purpose: a gravity drip relies on height and tubing, so the flow can vary with viscosity and setup; an electronic flow regulator can improve accuracy on a gravity line but doesn’t offer the same continuous, programmable control as a pump; a syringe pump is designed for small-volume, highly controlled delivery from a syringe, not for delivering hundreds of milliliters per hour.