What two pieces of information are essential to determine the duration an IV bag will last?

To determine how long an IV bag will last, it is crucial to consider the total volume of fluid in the IV bag and the infusion rate at which the fluid is being administered.

The total volume represents the amount of liquid contained in the bag, while the infusion rate indicates how quickly the fluid is being delivered to the patient. By dividing the total volume by the infusion rate, a healthcare professional can accurately calculate the duration of time the IV will remain infusing before the bag is empty.

The other options do not provide the necessary information for calculating the duration of the IV infusion. For example, while patient age might influence administration protocols or fluid requirements, it does not directly affect the duration of the IV bag. Similarly, drug concentration and delivery method are more relevant to the therapeutic effects and administration of medication rather than the logistical timing of fluid delivery. Time of preparation and ambient temperature could affect other factors, such as the stability of the drug or fluid, but they are not fundamental to determining how long an IV bag will last in terms of actual delivery to a patient.