Using the 4-2-1 maintenance fluid rule, what is the hourly maintenance rate for a 12 kg child?

Using the 4-2-1 maintenance fluid rule, what is the hourly maintenance rate for a 12 kg child?

• A. 24 mL/hr
• B. 44 mL/hr
• C. 16 mL/hr
• D. 32 mL/hr

Answer: (B)

The 4-2-1 rule gives hourly maintenance fluids based on weight: 4 mL/kg/hr for the first 10 kg, 2 mL/kg/hr for the next 10 kg (11–20 kg), and 1 mL/kg/hr for each kg over 20. For a 12 kg child, calculate 10 kg × 4 = 40 mL/hr, plus 2 kg × 2 = 4 mL/hr, totaling 44 mL/hr. So the hourly maintenance rate is 44 mL per hour. The other options don’t fit because they don’t combine the two weight tiers correctly for a 12 kg patient.

The 4-2-1 rule gives hourly maintenance fluids based on weight: 4 mL/kg/hr for the first 10 kg, 2 mL/kg/hr for the next 10 kg (11–20 kg), and 1 mL/kg/hr for each kg over 20. For a 12 kg child, calculate 10 kg × 4 = 40 mL/hr, plus 2 kg × 2 = 4 mL/hr, totaling 44 mL/hr. So the hourly maintenance rate is 44 mL per hour. The other options don’t fit because they don’t combine the two weight tiers correctly for a 12 kg patient.