Medication Math

Question 1

To convert a smaller unit to a larger unit…

Answer 1

move the decimal point 3 places per unit of measurement to the left.

Question 2

To convert a larger unit to a smaller unit…

Answer 2

move the decimal point 3 places per unit of measurement to the right.

Question 3

1 kg

Answer 3

1,000 g

Question 4

1 g

Answer 4

1,000 mg

Question 5

1 mg

Answer 5

1,000 mcg

Question 6

Kilo

Answer 6

One Thousand

Question 7

Centi

Answer 7

One Hundredth

Question 8

Milli

Answer 8

One Thousanth

Question 9

Micro

Answer 9

One Millionth

Question 10

To convert pounds to kilograms…

Answer 10

cut the weight in half then subtract 10% of that number from itself.

Question 11

To find 10% of a number…

Answer 11

move the decimal point one place to the left.

Question 12

Desired Dose

Answer 12

The dose we want to administer to the patient.

Question 13

Total Drug Amount

Answer 13

The total amount of drug within its container.

Question 14

Total Drug Volume

Answer 14

The amount of fluid within a drug’s container.

Question 15

Administered Volume

Answer 15

The amount of fluid (mL) we will administer to a patient.

Question 16

Medication concentrations are expressed as a unit of weight per volume…

Answer 16

Concentration (mg/mL) = Total Drug / Total Volume

Question 17

To determine the concentration of a medication that is expressed as a percentage…

Answer 17

Take the percentage number and make it grams. Then take the number of grams and place it over 100 mL. Finally, reduce the fraction.

Example: Dextrose 50%
50% = 50 grams
50g / 100mL = 5000 mg / 100mL = 500mg/mL

Question 18

Bolus

Answer 18

Administering a specific amount all at once.

Question 19

Drip

Answer 19

Administering a certain amount of drug slowly over a period of time.

Question 20

To determine how many milliliters of medication needed to be administered…

Answer 20

mL to be administered = (total volume X desired dose) / total amount of drug
OR
mL to be administered = desired dose / concentration

Question 21

Maintenance Drip

Answer 21

Allows the therapeutic levels of a drug to be maintained after giving a bolus medication. –Usually dripped at a specific rate instead of a specified dose.

Question 22

Bolus Over Time

Answer 22

A bolus that must be administered over a certain length of time.

Question 23

Macro Drip Set

Answer 23

10-15 gtt/mL. Generally used for fluid administration because they allow for quick administration of large amounts of volume.

Question 24

Micro Drip Set

Answer 24

60 gtt/mL. Generally used for medication administration because medication drips usually require small amounts of medication to be administered over time.

Question 25

General Formula used to calculate a certain amount of drug (with a specified concentration) to be given at the desired dose.

Answer 25

X = (desired dose X drip set) / drug concentration

Question 26

Fluid Administration Formula used to calculate a specified volume of solution given over time.

Answer 26

X = (total volume X drip set) / total time

Question 27

For a drip infusion based on weight

Answer 27

desired dose / kg X weight in lbs / 2.2 = desired dose

desired dose / dose on hand X drip set = drops per minute