Med Calc Flashcards
For pediatrics do NOT round unless you are told to in the problem. Read the question carefully!
If you are told to enter a whole number and do not round it is the whole number only
You must always use the place holder 0 before the decimal
You do not use a placeholder 0 after the decimal if the answer is a whole number.
General Math RULES:
Our weight in Kg is a
lower number than lbs. That is how I remember which way to go. I like my weight better in kg
Capsules/extended release tablets
cannot be cut
First, compute the safe range. Then compute the client’s range and then compare. Be careful some safe dosages can be evaluated by the dose OR by the day.
Safe dosing
the minimum amount recommended. This is the dose that effective treatment begins. Less than therapeutic can still be delivered, but a prudent nurse would inquire about the “why” with the provider.
Therapeutic =
the maximum amount recommended. If the client’s dose is greater than the maximum, the dose is held until the order is verified and explained.
Safe dose =
Fluid replacement, IV fluid, amount per day, what to set on the pump to determine the amount of fluid per day in pediatrics use the daily fluid requirement formula by weight: 0-10 Kg
provide 100mL/kg/day
Fluid replacement, IV fluid, amount per day, what to set on the pump to determine the amount of fluid per day in pediatrics use the daily fluid requirement formula by weight: 10-20 Kg provide
1000 mL plus 50mL/Kg (for the # of Kg greater than 10)
Fluid replacement, IV fluid, amount per day, what to set on the pump to determine the amount of fluid per day in pediatrics use the daily fluid requirement formula by weight: Greater than 20 Kg
provide 1500mL + 20mL/Kg (for the # of Kg greater than 20)
10gtts/mL or 15gtts/mL or 20 gtts/mL
Macrodrip:
60 gtts/mL
Microdrip (most common in small children):
is nothing more than changing an amount based on data from the client. It requires calculations you have learned already with the addition of another step or two.
Titrating
Occasionally, there are medications that do not have a pediatric safe dose. We determine what is safe by using what we call the BSA method. BSA stands for Body Surface Area. You use the table on the next page to determine a child’s BSA then multiply the adult dose by the BSA number. The BSA is in meters squared (m2).
You need the height and weight of the child to determine the BSA. Draw a line between the height value and the weight value and in the middle is the BSA.
BSA method
