Math help

Register Today!

  1. This is a discussion on Math help in Nursing Student Assistance, part of Nursing Student ... I am practicing for my med calc test that is next tues. I am AWFUL at it. Right now, we are just...

    by Sep 20, '12
    I am practicing for my med calc test that is next tues. I am AWFUL at it. Right now, we are just doing the dose desired/dose on hand X Q I get the easy ones and know how to convert mg to g and that if needed ... but I cam across this one and not sure where to go with it...

    Aluminum hydroxide 15cc is ordered qid.
    Pharm sends a bottle lableled 320mg per 5 ml.
    How many mg is the pt getting with each 15 ml?

    I am not seeing it. Thanks!!
    Last edit by Joe V on Sep 24, '12 : Reason: capitalization
    Read Online


    Print and share with friends and family.
    Compliments of allnurses.com.
    http://allnurses.com/showthread.php?t=787326

    by momtojosh Sep 20, '12 8:15 am
    ©2013 allnurses.com INC. All Rights Reserved.
  2. 720 Views
    Click Tags to Find Similar Topics

  3. 12 Comments so far...

  4. Sep 20, '12 by
    Tell us how you would set it up and we can help you from there.
  5. Sep 20, '12 by
    Would it be 960mg? ??
    In 5ml theres 320mg
    The order is 15ml
    5x3=15ml
    320x3=960mg

    960mg

    Pls Correct me if im wrong.anybody?

    I also need to master this calculations
    KelRN215, loriangel14, and Esme12 like this.
  6. Asst. Admin
    Sep 20, '12 by
    These sites will help you tremendously.

    DosageHelp.com - Helping Nursing Students Learn Dosage Calculations - Dosage Question Steps
    http://www.davesems.com/files/drug_d...lculations.pdf
    aluminum hydroxide 15cc is ordered qid
    pharm sends a bottle lableled 320mg per 5 ml
    how many mg is the pt getting with each 15 ml


    First KNOW your conversions..........
    There are questions you need to answer for every problem
    Desired dose
    Concentration
    Volume on hand
    Any conversions: Lbs/Kg, grams/mg, mg/mcg
    looking for:
    administration set up:

    Desired dose: 15cc
    Concentration: 320mg/5cc
    Volume on hand: N/A
    Any conversions: 1cc=1ml
    looking for: ?mg per 15ml
    administration set up: N/A

    320mg X 1cc
    5cc ?mg = so you have _____mg per cc

    If you have _____mg per cc how many mg's are there in 15cc

    ____mg X 15cc = mg/15ml
    1cc
    Last edit by Esme12 on Sep 20, '12
  7. Sep 20, '12 by
    Would it be 960mg? ??
    In 5ml theres 320mg
    The order is 15ml
    5x3=15ml
    320x3=960mg

    960mg i can see it this way better.....



    Concentration: 320mg/5cc
    Volume on hand: N/A
    Any conversions: 1cc=1ml
    looking for: ?mg per 15ml
    administration set up: N/A

    320mg X 1cc
    5cc ?mg = so you have __64___mg per cc

    If you have __64___mg per cc how many mg's are there in 15cc 960...this way confuses me

    oh boy...i dont like this...what am i going to do....i am LOST
  8. Sep 21, '12 by
    Since the ordered dose is 15 mL or 15cc and what you have on hand is 320mg/5ml, in order to figure out how many mg are in 15 ml you need to multiply the 320mg by 3 to get your answer. You would multiply by 3 because since you have to multiply the 5mL by 3 to get 15mL you also need to do the same for the mg.

    Ie:
    320mg/5ml

    15ml/5ml = 3 ml; multiply 320mg x 3 = 960mg in 15 ml.
    DawnJ likes this.
  9. Asst. Admin
    Sep 21, '12 by
    Quote from momtojosh
    Would it be 960mg? ??
    In 5ml theres 320mg
    The order is 15ml
    5x3=15ml
    320x3=960mg

    960mg i can see it this way better.....



    Concentration: 320mg/5cc
    Volume on hand: N/A
    Any conversions: 1cc=1ml
    looking for: ?mg per 15ml
    administration set up: N/A

    320mg X 1cc
    5cc ?mg = so you have __64___mg per cc

    If you have __64___mg per cc how many mg's are there in 15cc 960...this way confuses me

    oh boy...i dont like this...what am i going to do....i am LOST
    That's ok .........then don't use it....it's dimensional analysis (algebra). I just broke it down to how many mg are there in 1cc. So if you have 64mg in 1cc and you have 15cc's you multiply 64 X 15 = 960.

    Try both of these sites.....DosageHelp.com - Helping Nursing Students Learn Dosage Calculations - Dosage Question Steps
    http://www.davesems.com/files/drug_d...lculations.pdf
  10. Sep 21, '12 by
    esme12...thank you for the websites...i was up til 11 practicing last night. math is very hard for me,i cant see what other people are seeing. my husband is a math wizard and he helps me "see" the problem better.
    i will let you know how my first calculations test goes....every semester we have one...the first we need to pass with an 85 or better,then 90,95 and 100% in the 4th semester...we do get three tries but i would like to get it on the first and breathe a sigh of relief!!

    thanks again!!
  11. Asst. Admin
    Sep 21, '12 by
    good Luck!!!!! I'm sending positive vibes!
  12. Asst. Admin
    Sep 21, '12 by
    Know your conversions
    The Short List 1 cup (c) = 8 ounces (oz)
    1 dram (dr) = 60 grains (gr)
    1 dram (fl dr) = 60 minims
    1 gallon (gal) = 4 quarts (qt)
    1 glass = 8 ounces (oz)
    1 grain (gr) = 64.8 milligrams (mg)
    1 gram (g) = 15.43 grains (gr)
    1 inch (in) = 2.54 centimeters (cm)
    1 kilogram (kg) = 2.2 pounds (lb)
    1 liter (L) = 1.057 quarts (qt)
    1 milliliter (mL) = 16.23 minims
    1 minim = 1 drop (gt)
    1 ounce (oz) = 2 tablespoons (tbsp)
    1 ounce (oz) = 8 drams (dr)
    1 ounce (fl oz) = 29.57 milliliters (mL)
    1 pint (pt) = 16 ounces (oz)
    1 pound (lb) = 16 ounces (oz)
    1 quart (qt) = 0.946 liters (L)
    1 quart (qt) = 2 pints (pt)
    1 tablespoon (tbsp) = 3 teaspoons (tsp)
    1 teacup = 6 ounces (oz)
    1 teaspoon (tsp) = 4.93 mL

    The Long list
    1 central = 45,359 grams (g)
    1 centimeter (cm) = 10 millimeters (mm)
    1 cubic centimeter (cc) = 1 milliliter (mL)
    1 cup (c) = 8 ounces (oz)
    1 drachm = 3.55 milliliter (mL)
    1 dram (dr) = 60 grains (gr)
    1 dram (fl dr) = 60 minims
    1 gallon (gal) = 4 quarts (qt)
    1 gill = 4 ounces (oz)
    1 glass = 8 ounces (oz)
    1 grain (gr) = 64.8 milligrams (mg)
    1 gram (g) = 1,000 milligrams (mg)
    1 gram (g) = 1,000,000 micrograms (mcg)
    1 gram (g) = 15.43 grains (gr)
    1 hand = 4 inches (in)
    1 inch (in) = 2.54 centimeters (cm)
    1 kilogram (kg) = 1,000 grams (g)
    1 kilogram (kg) = 2.2 pounds (lb)
    1 liter (L) = 1000 milliliters (mL)
    1 liter (L) = 1.057 quarts (qt)
    1 meter (m) = 1,000 millimeters (mm)
    1 meter (m) = 100 centimeters (cm)
    1 milligram (mg) = 1,000 micrograms (mcg)
    1 milliliter (mL) = 1 cubic centimeter (cc)
    1 milliliter (mL) = 15 drops (gt)
    1 milliliter (mL) = 16.23 minims
    1 minim = 1 drop (gt)
    1 ounce (fl oz) = 2 tablespoons (tbsp)
    1 ounce (oz) = 20 pennyweights (dwt)
    1 ounce (oz) = 24 scruples
    1 ounce (oz) = 31.1 grams (g)
    1 ounce (oz) = 480 grains (gr)
    1 ounce (oz) = 8 drams (dr)
    1 ounce, fluid (fl oz) = 29.57 milliliters (mL)
    1 palm = 3 inches (in)
    1 pennyweight (dwt) = 24 grains (gr)
    1 pint (pt) = 16 ounces (oz)
    1 pint (pt) = 4 gills
    1 pound (lb) = 16 ounces (oz)
    1 pound (lb) = 350 scruples
    1 quart (qt) = 0.946 liters (L)
    1 quart (qt) = 2 pints (pt)
    1 scruple = 20 grains (gr)
    1 stone = 0.14 cents
    1 tablespoon (tbsp) = 3 teaspoons (tsp)
    1 teacup = 6 ounces (oz)
    1 teaspoon (tsp) = 60 drops (gtt)
    1 teaspoon (tsp) = 4.93 mL