Equation Language

Question 1

Flow rate

Answer 1

mL/hr or gtts/min

Question 2

When do you solve for gtts/min?

Answer 2

You only solve for gtts/min if you are given a drop factor (gtts/mL) OR if they ask for a drip rate.

Question 3

When do you solve for mL/hr

Answer 3

You solve for mL/hr if you are not given a drop rate, if they ask for a pump rate.

Question 4

Flow rate for IVPB

Answer 4

50 mL/30 mins UNLESS otherwise stated. (E.g. If I give you Doxycycline IVPB to infuse over 45 min… you will now use 50 mL/ 45 mins. Or, If I give you Doxycycline IVPB in 100 mL over 45 min… you will now use 100 mL/45 mins)

Question 5

What are the rounding rules for...
<1
>1
gtts/min
mL/hr
tablets and capsules

Answer 5

<1 - round to the hundredths place (ex: 0.01 mL)
>1 - round to the tenths place (ex: 1.5 mL)
gtts/min - gtts gets rounded to whole number, bc you can’t have fractions of a drop.
mL/hr - round to the nearest whole number. For IV infusion times round to the hundredths place then convert to minutes (ex: 4.56 h = 4 hours, 34 minutes)
tablets and capsules - need to be whole numbers unless it indicates they can be scored.

Question 6

What types of syringes are there?

Answer 6

Tuberculin - 1 mL (goes to hundredths place bc less than 1 mL)
3 mL
5 mL
10 mL
Insulin syringe in units

Question 7

What are the rules of DA?

Answer 7

1. Start with what you are looking for
2. The unit of the numerator has to match the numerator of what you are looking for.
3. The denominator of the first fraction (and subsequent fractions) have to match the NEXT numerator (so they can cancel out).
4. Ask yourself, “Can I solve?” How will you know? You know you are ready to solve when all the units can cancel and you are ONLY left with what you are looking for.
5. Multiply across (not cross multiplying).
6. Label you answers with proper units.

Question 8

What are the “rights” of medication administration

Answer 8

You need to make sure you have the right:
Patient
Route
Time
Drug
Dose
Documentation

“PRT-triple D”