317 - Pharmaceutics Flashcards
What is the importance of performing calculations correctly?
- prevents waiting times/workload
- prevents patient receiving incorrect quantity
- prevents financial impact
- patient gets the correct product (strength)
- patient harm/death
- ensures product is effective
- reduce waste
- accurate calculations ensure product is fit for purpose - not separated out
Is a 3% solution of sodium chloride in water:
w/w, v/v w/v?
w/v
Is a 1 in 4 cream contatining betnovate cream mixed with aquaeous cream:
w/w, v/v or w/v?
w/w
Is a 5% solution of alcohol in chloroform water:
w/w, v/v or w/v?
v/v
Is a 10% solution of sugar dissolved in water:
w/w, v/v or w/v?
w/v
What are the units for something which is weight by volume?
g/ml are the units for a substance which is w/v
How would you calculate the percentage of sodium chloride in a sodium chloride solution if there is 1.5g of sodium chloride dissolved in 60ml of water?
1.5g / 60ml x 100 = 2.5%
How would you calculate the percentage of potassium permanganate dissolved in water if there is 400mg of potassium permanganate dissolved in 4 litres of water.
The units need to be in g and ml.
400mg = 0.4g
4L = 4000ml
0.4/4000 x 100 = 0.01%
How would you calculate how much active ingredient is in a 120g product with a ratio strength of 1 in 25?
120g / 25 = 4.8g
Divide the total quantity by the proportion.
How much coal tar solution 2% w/v would contain 140mg of coal tar?
How much coal tar solution 2% w/v would contain 140mg of coal tar?
2% of 100ml = 2g
2g of active ingredient in 100ml = 2000mg
total/proportion
140mg / 2000mg x 100 = 7ml
What calculation is used to calculate displacement values?
amount of base required = total weight of base - (weight of medicament (g) / displacement value)
How many extra should you calculate for making when making suppositories or pessaries?
When making suppositories or pessaries calculate to make two extra.
Calculate the quantity of theobroma oil (base) required to make eight hamamelis and zinc oxide suppositories.
Formula
Hamamelis 0.2g
Zinc oxide 0.1g
Theobroma oil sufficient to make 1g suppository
Calculate the quantity of theobroma oil (base) required to make eight hamamelis and zinc oxide suppositories.
Formula
Hamamelis 0.2g
Zinc oxide 0.1g
Theobroma oil sufficient to make 1g suppository
- the question says make 8 so make 10 to account for loss
hamamelis 0.2g x 10 = 2g
zinc oxide 0.1g x 10 = 1g
theobroma oil 1g x 10 = 10g
amount of base = (2g / 1.5) + (1g / 4.7)
= 1.3 + 0.2127… = 1.5
= 10g - 1.5 = 8.5g of theobroma oil
The term ‘child’, unless specified otherwise, refers to patients of what age?
A child is a patient of age 12 years and younger.
What does a narrow therapeutic index mean?
There is a narrow dose between toxicity and therapeutic.
Why may young children require a higher dose than adults?
Young children may require a higher dose than adults due to their high metabolic rate.
When should special care be taken when doing a body-weight calculation for dose?
Special care should be taken when calculating for an overweight child so as not to overdose them. An ‘ideal weight’ for the child may need to be used instead.
Why are body weight calculations often used when calculating doses for children?
Body weight is used when calculating doses for children as the child may be premature or not developing as quickly.
What are the units used when calculating doses around body weight?
mg/kg are used for doses based on body weight.
When would body surface area calculations be used to calculate dose?
Body surface area calculations are used for paediatric doses and also for chemotherapy patients.
What is the body surface area calculation?
surface area of patient (m2)
——————————————- x adult dose
1.73
Why is 1.73 used on the bottom of the body surface area calculation?
1.73 is used because it is the average surface area of a 70kg individual.
What is the dispensary calculation?
what you want
————————– x ml the strength is given in
what you’ve got
An adult dose of paracetamol is 500mg, how would you work out a child’s dose aged 5 years?
An adult dose of paracetamol is 500mg, how would you work out a child’s dose aged 5 years?
- use the body surface area calculation
surface area of pt/1.73 x adult dose
- a 5 year old child has a surface area of 0.74m2
0. 74 / 1.73 x 500
=214mg
If a child requires a 214mg dose but the dispensary only has liquid paracetamol of strength 250mg/5ml, calculate how much to give.
If a child requires a 214mg dose but the dispensary only has liquid paracetamol of strength 250mg/5ml, calculate how much to give.
- use the dispensary calculation
what you want / what you have x ml the strength is in
214mg / 250mg x 5ml = 4.28ml
What is the weighing range for a class B balance?
A class B balance can weigh between 100mg to 50g.
What is the weighable range for an electronic top pan balance?
An electronic top pan balance can weigh between 100mg and 300g.
What is the procedure when weighing crystals to be ground down?
Weigh over the amount, grind down, reweigh
What is the procedure for using a measure?
- ensure the measure is clean
- bring yourself down to eye level with measurement
- measure on a flat surface
- take the reading from the bottom of the
* *meniscus** - get it checked
- clean the measure
What volume of liquid should be measured in a syringe?
5ml or less. Means it is more accurate.
What small volume can be measured in a pipette?
Pipettes can be used to measure down to 0.01ml.
What equipment is used for mixing and grinding?
- pestle and mortar
- water bath and hot plate
What type of pestle and mortar should be used for grinding?
A flat-bottomed pestle and mortar should be used for grinding.
What are porcelain pestle and mortars useful for?
- ideal for size reduction of solids i.e grinding crystals
- mixing of solids and liquids (i.e preparations of suspensions and emulsions)
Why are a flat-bottomed mortar and pestle better for grinding?
Using a flat-bottomed mortar and a flat-ended pestle makes it easier to grind down crystals becasue the crystaks are more likely to stay in the bottom of the mortar and not migrate up the sides.
How should a mortar and pestle be used for mixing?
- do not overfill
- the pestle should be rotated in both directions to ensure thorough mixing
- do not use too much pressure or the powder will compact on the bottom
What is placed on a hot plate to heat items that cannot be heated directly?
A water bath is sat on a hot plate.
What equipment sits in a water bath?
An evaporating dish sits on a water bath.
What are examples of semi-solids?
Ointments, creams and gels are all examples of semi-solids.
What extra precaution should be taken when weighing opaque liquids?
A measure should be chosen with different coloured graduations to the opaque liquid being measured.