I very rarely will place a catheter bigger than an 18 so I do not have much experience with flow rates using those catheters with either extension set, not enough to make a reasonable generalization about how long it takes to drop 1 liter. Macro drip tubing is much larger, so is better for delivering larger doses of fluid. So, there is a difference in flow rates depending upon which extension set used. What is the difference between a micro drip and a macro drip At a very basic level, micro drip tubing is used for people who are receiving smaller amounts of IV medication. If not giving medications by IV drip, then macro drip tubing is usually used. IV fluids are commonly categorized as colloids and crystalloids. These medications would rarely if ever be administered without an IV pump, and when not using an IV pump, the IV drip calculation would be different if using micro drip tubing than with the standard macro drip tubing. With an 18g catheter, I have noticed the times are about 36 minutes and 28 minutes respectively. Intravenous Therapy 8.3 IV Fluids, IV Tubing, and Assessment of an IV System Patients are prescribed an IV solution (fluids) based on their electrolyte and fluid volume status.

Using a 20g catheter and the two-lumen set, I have noted it takes about 43 minutes to completely empty a 1 liter bag of saline whereas using the slightly larger bore single-lumen set (or direct connect a primary line to the catheter) it only takes 38 minutes. What I have seen is the two-lumen extension set does have a slightly smaller bore than the primary line or the single lumen extension set and as such it does slow flow rates just a little bit. One is a two-lumen set that allows me to connect two primary lines to a single catheter and the other is a 'standard' single-lumen set that basically is an 8' extension set that only allows me to connect a primary line to the catheter. macrodrip chamber is used to administer a solution that is thick or is to infuse. Where I work, I currently use one of two types of lock sets. microdrip chamber is used if fluid will be infused at a slow rate (<100 mL/hr).

Macro vs micro drip sets