Drug Dosages Made Easy

Drug Dosages Made Easy

Calculating Dosages

·  Have = Desired

·  Remember:

o  Convert (be sure units are the same)

o  Think (estimate a reasonable amount to give)

o  Calculate

o  Assess (does this amount seem reasonable?)

·  Example: Drug A is packaged in a 4mg/2 ml solution, the doctor has order 20 mg of Drug A, how much do you give?

o  HAVE: 4 mg/2 ml DESIRE 20mg/ x ml

o  4 mg = 20mg

2ml x ml 4x = 20 x 2 4x = 40 x = 10ml

LET’S PRACTICE!

1.  Order: Demerol 50mg IM

Supply: Demerol 10g/1ml

GIVE: ______ml

2.  Order: Lasix 40 mg p.o.

Supply: Lasix oral solution 10 mg/ml

GIVE: ______ml

3.  Order: Vistaril 100 ml po

Supply: Vistaril oral suspension 25 mg/5 ml

GIVE: ______ml

4.  Order: Proventil 2.5 mg via SA

Supply: Proventil 5.0mg/1ml

Give: ______ml