Specific doses and volumes

Question 1

Calcium gluconate/chloride for hyperkalaemia

Answer 1

30mls of calcium gluconate 10%

OR

10mls of calcium chloride 10%

Question 2

Calcium gluconate for low calcium

Answer 2

10-20mls of calcium gluconate 10%

Question 3

Glucose 10% for hypoglycaemia

Question 4

Typical dose for simvastatin

Answer 4

20-80 mg

Question 5

Alendronic acid typical dose

Answer 5

70mg is for treating post-menopausal osteoporosis and is given once weekly.

Alternative is 10mg once daily

Question 6

Standard dose of meropenem for bacterial infection

Answer 6

0.5–1 g every 8 hours.

NOTE: it is 2 g every 8 hours for: meningitis, endocarditis (together with another antibacterial) and LRTI in CF patients

Question 7

Maximum dose of citalopram (in young and elderly patients)

Answer 7

Young: 40mg
Elderly: 20mg

Question 8

Aminophylline loading dose

Answer 8

5mg/kg

Given by slow intravenous injection over at least 20 minutes.

Aminophylline is available at a concentration of 25mg/ml.

Question 9

Aminophylline maintenance infusion

Answer 9

Dose: 500-700mcg/kg/hour. If elderly: 300mcg/kg/hour

Plasma theophylline concentrations should be monitored

Question 10

Amitriptyline doses

Answer 10

The starting dose of amitriptyline for depression is 75mg while for neuropathic pain it is 10mg

Question 11

Levothyroxine doses

Answer 11

In MICROgrams

Question 12

Digoxin doses

Answer 12

In MICROgrams

Question 13

Naloxone doses

Answer 13

In MICROgrams

Question 14

Atropine doses

Answer 14

In MICROgrams

Question 15

Folic acid doses

Answer 15

In MICROgrams

Question 16

Fludrocortisone doses

Answer 16

In MICROgrams

Question 17

Sertraline standard dose

Answer 17

initially prescribed at a dose of 50mg OD, and can be increased by 50mg at weekly intervals, up to a dose of 200mg depending upon severity of depression.