Q3- 20 minutes 0. Q4- minutes 1. Further resources There are lots of online and printed resources to help you develop your skills to calculate medication dosages:. Drug calculations quiz Quizzes to calculate dosages, metric conversions, fluid dosages, and IV drop rates.
Calculating dosages Drugs may be administered via several routes. How to calculate dosages Strength and volume Formulae Oral doses Volume doses Dosages by patient weight Strength and volume Most drugs are available in a limited number of strengths or concentrations.
Finding the volume required This short video shows you the difference between strength and volume. How to use proportions with liquid solutions This video is very helpful if you need more information on how to read the stock strength and stock volume of medication that is, the amount of drug and solution available , and how to calculate the volume of solution required. Interpret stock strength and stock volume How to find the volume required and how to calculate the volume of solution required.
Formula to calculate dosages The formula to calculate the required dose includes the stock required prescribed by the doctor , the stock strength amount of drug available and volume amount of solution available.
Before you apply the formula, take into consideration two key aspects: The dose and form in which the drug is available. Ensure that all dosages are expressed in the same units of measurement i. Calculating oral doses To calculate oral doses, the formula can be simplified. Therefore, you will need to convert the order dose from milligrams mg to micrograms mcg so that you have the same units: 0. Calculate tablet doses This activity will guide you through the process to calculate tablet doses.
Q1- A patient is prescribed paracetamol 1g, orally. The stock available is mg tablets. Calculate the number of tablets required. Do you need to convert units of measurement? Thus, you need to convert the order dose from g to mg. The dose prescribed is now expressed in mg: mg.
Q2- 25 mg captopril PO is prescribed. How many 50 mg tablets should be given? No, in this example strength and dose required are expressed in mg. Q3- Dixogin micrograms is prescribed. Tablets available are 0. How many tablets should be given? Do you need to convert units? Yes, in this example dose required is expressed in mcg and strength is expressed in mg.
Dose required is now expressed in mg: 0. Calculating volume doses The formula will now be applied to calculate volume doses, including the volume of stock solution. Calculate volume doses This activity will guide you through the process to calculate volume doses. A child is ordered epilim elixir mcg. It takes time to learn how to read the problems and extract what information you need to learn how to solve the problem.
Practicing problems over and over are the key to being successful with these problems. Later on I plan on creating a video series on how to solve dosage and calculation problems. If you would like to practice these problems here are some free dosage and calculation quizzes.
I get this question a lot! My response is no way! The math is nursing school is so basic that it should never hold anyone back from pursuing a nursing career. Disclosure and Privacy Policy This website provides entertainment value only, not medical advice or nursing protocols.
By accessing any content on this site or its related media channels, you agree never to hold us liable for damages, harm, loss, or misinformation. Understanding Roman numerals and knowing how to convert them to regular numbers is also essential.
Nurses need to do dosage calculations when a drug is in tablets, but the order is in milligrams mg. A drug could also be only available in a certain amount, but ordered in a different one. The nurse must be able to calculate the right amount to give to the patient — in this case, four tablets. Sometimes nurses must calculate drug dosages according to body weight when administering medication to children.
This type of order may call for 20 mg per kilogram kg of body weight, but is only available as four grams per milliliter ml.
The nurse would need to weigh the patient before calculating the dosage. Math Nursing in the "real world" generally requires very basic math skills, but almost all programs require at least one college-level math class — usually algebra.
Natural Sciences You won't find too many surprises in this category. Social Sciences Many nursing schools require one semester each of level psychology and sociology, but other classes to consider include child or general psychology development.
Wild Card Classes Other nursing school requirements you might be required to complete before joining a program include a basic nutrition course, a class in public speaking or possibly a basic humanities classes. Share this content Facebook Twitter Email. Related Articles. Close Modal.
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