ICU Dosage Calculations

Question 1

lbs to kg

Answer 1

lbs divided by 2.2 = kg

Question 2

grams to mg

Answer 2

x 1000
1 g = 1000 mg

Question 3

mg to mcg

Answer 3

x 1000
1 mg = 1000 mcg

Question 4

Medication concentration

Answer 4

units (g, mg, mcg, units) / volume of solution (mL, L)

Question 5

Drops into IV pump

Answer 5

total vol (mL) / mins infused * gtt/mL

Question 6

Configuring mL/hr (insulin or heparin drips)

Answer 6

mL/hr = med dose (mg/hr) / med concentration (mg/mL or unit/mL)

Question 7

mcg/kg/min =

Answer 7

(mcg/mL) * (mL/hr) / kg * 60 (mins/hr)

Question 8

If a wt is not given for mcg/kg/min, then

Answer 8

remove it from the equation and move forward

Question 9

mcg/kg/min to find mL/hr

Answer 9

kg * mcg/kg/min * 60 / mcg/mL