by Catfish RN

Hi, I am hoping for some help. I am a C.C. RN though I have been oow d/t a back injury for more than 2 years. I am going through my critical care class notes and realize that I do not remember my formulas for calculating drugs. I only remember .. desired dose over have on hand.. I have forgotten the rest. Also I don't seem to remember my calculation for mcg/kg/min.
Help please.
I will be going back to the unit pretty soon.
Thank you.

Re: calculating drugs doses

are you still needing the equation for drug calcs. I bought a PDA that could help me out in a pinch but I will resurrect the equation if you need it....

Re: calculating drugs doses

Yes,
I do still need them. Thank you for your help.

Re: calculating drugs doses

I don't really work with formulas, but if you need mcg/kg/min, just divide by the patient's weight (in kg of course) once you have the answer in mcg/min.

Re: calculating drugs doses

I wish I could link what my school teaches, but the site is password protected. I can copy/paste or email if you are interested. Also have a bunch of practice problems.

Re: calculating drugs doses

http://classes.kumc.edu/son/nurs420/...sic_review.htm
Try this site.

This is a really old formula but it really does work, it came from a AACN publication about 15 to 20 years ago but it works.


mg
_____ X 16.7 divided by weight in KG = then times rate
amount
will equal mcg/kg/min
example: dopamine 800mg in 250cc= 3.2 X 16.7=53.44 divided by 75kg
equals 0.71( this is your cal factor)x rate say 15cc gives a
answer of 10.6mcg/kg/min
I don't remember where the 16.7 comes from but this formula does work I have kept it on a sticker on the back of my calculator since I found it many years ago and it always matches the answer the new nurses get with their new formulas.
Hope you get back in the swing of things okay.
from a really old ICU nurse who is still going strong.:

Re: calculating drugs doses

Thnak you all for your help.