The effects of patient movement and position on the drip-rate accuracy of several i.v. flow-regulating devices were investigated. Intravenous infusion sites were established in 20 healthy adult volunteers. All the subjects received 5% dextrose injection through the same type of i.v. tubing from 500-mL bags hung from standard i.v. fluid poles. The flow-regulating devices tested were the IVAC 280, which served as the control device; a roller clamp; the Dial-A-Flo; the Exacdrop; and the 3M IV Flow Regulator. Drip rates were present at 40 drops/min and were measured before and after the subjects moved among the supine, sitting, and standing positions and walking. The drip rate was reset to 40 drops/min after each position change. Changing position from supine to sitting did not affect mean drip rates for the IVAC 280 and 3M IV Flow Regulator devices but significantly decreased the rates for the roller clamp, Dial-A-Flo, and Exacdrop. The change from sitting to standing did not affect the IVAC 280 and 3M IV Flow Regulator drip rates but significantly decreased the rates for the other devices. None of the rates was dramatically affected when the subjects went from standing to walking, although the effect achieved significance for the roller clamp and Exacdrop devices. The change from walking to the supine position did not affect the drip rates for the IVAC 280 and 3M IV Flow Regulator but significantly increased the rates for the other devices. The drip-rate accuracy of the roller clamp, Dial-A-Flo, and Exacdrop devices was significantly affected when subjects changed positions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)