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Why This Matters for Nursing: IV drip rates (mL per hour), medication dosing (mg per kg), and vital signs (beats per minute) are all rates. Understanding unit rates helps you calculate exactly what each patient needs.
A rate is a ratio that compares two quantities with DIFFERENT units: - 60 miles per 2 hours - $15 for 3 items - 120 mL in 4 hours
A unit rate expresses how much of one thing per ONE unit of another: - 30 miles per 1 hour (30 mph) - $5 per 1 item - 30 mL per 1 hour
"Per" means DIVIDE
"Miles per hour" = miles ÷ hours "Price per item" = price ÷ items
To find a unit rate, divide to get "per 1"
Divide the first quantity by the second quantity
Unit rate = 240 miles ÷ 4 hours = 60 miles per hour
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