Med Dose Calc. Problems

Aug 25, 2007 03:26 PM

by lizzyberry

Hi I just started the nursing program and they told us we have to do med dose problems and if we do not pass them we wont pass the class. I can remember how to do the med dose calc problems sort of but its been two year since Ive taken Med dose. My Question: Does anyone know the metric chart I forgot I know it goes something like this:

1gr=1000mg=?grain
1mg=1000mcg=?grain

1 ml=?
2 tabls=?oz
Drams ?
Drains?
Does anyone know these or where I can find them. Because we need to really know these by heart for med dose right?

morte · Aug 25, 2007, 04:14 PM

Re: Med Dose Calc. Problems

Originally Posted by lizzyberry

Hi I just started the nursing program and they told us we have to do med dose problems and if we do not pass them we wont pass the class. I can remember how to do the med dose calc problems sort of but its been two year since Ive taken Med dose. My Question: Does anyone know the metric chart I forgot I know it goes something like this:

1gr=1000mg=?grain
1mg=1000mcg=?grain

1 ml=?
2 tabls=?oz
Drams ?
Drains?
Does anyone know these or where I can find them. Because we need to really know these by heart for med dose right?

http://kcsun3.tripod.com/id73.htm perhaps this will help.....didnt check it out extensively.....also drams and grains are NOT metric measures, but apothocary (sp) measures, rarely used...good luck

*Daytonite* · Aug 25, 2007, 04:56 PM

Check the appendices of your nursing textbooks and your nursing drug handbook, if you have one. If you have a medical dictionary (i.e., Tabers) there are measurement tables in the appendix and some information in the pages of the dictionary itself about the various measurements. Grams and liters are part of the metric system. Ounces, grains and drams are part of the apothecary and avoirdupois systems.

Watch your abbreviations and make sure you are getting them correct, particularly g, gr and gm!

1 gram(g)= 1000 milligrams(mg)
15 grains(gr) = 1 gram(g)
1 grain(gr) = 60 or 65 milligrams(mg)
1 milligram(mg)= 1000 micrograms(mcg)
1 milliliter(ml) = 16 minims, or drops(gtts)
1 teaspoon(tsp) = 5 milliliters(mL), or 5 cc's
1 tablespoon (Tbs) = 15 milliliters (mL)
2 tablespoons(Tbs) = 1 ounce (8 drams), or 30 milliliters(mL), or 30 cc's
1 Dram(dr) = 3.697 millilters(mL), or round off to 4 mL, or 4 cc's
don't know what you mean by Drains ?????

I would highly recommend that you snatch a plastic medicine cup and take a good look at the markings on it. It has ounces/drams, tsp/tbs, and cc's/ml's markings on its three sides. You can also use these websites to create your own conversion tables:

♪♫ in my ♥ · Aug 25, 2007, 06:56 PM

Re: Med Dose Calc. Problems

You should also know that Google has a great "natural language" unit converter.

For example, type in "1 grain in grams" or "1 ml in tbsp"

Woogy · Aug 26, 2007, 09:15 AM

Re: Med Dose Calc. Problems

Here is a couple of rhymes that helps me everytime! It doesn't include all conversions, but some main ones. If you can remember these, simple math can be used for larger or smaller doses.
30 Monkeys Laughed at 1 O ld Zebra
8 Dozen roses, 2 Turkeys, 6 tums.
So...
30 mls = 1 oz = 8 dr (drams) = 2 tbs (tablespoons) = 6 tsp (teaspoons).
They are all equivalents of each other. So, if your questions says 60mls, you know that you need to double the number of all the other figures, etc.

New To Site	Need Help	Quick Links
Create An Account General Site Map allnurses.com Journals Terms Of Service Privacy Policy Testimonials Meet Our Staff Advertising Information	Information Center & FAQ Boards of Nursing How-To Video Tutorials Did you forget your password? Compare Membership Contact allnurses.com Text Version Mark All Sections As Read	United States Nursing International Nursing Nursing Specialty Advanced Practice Nursing Critical Care Nursing Nursing Specialties Get In Touch... Find Us On Facebook Follow Us On Twitter

Med Dose Calc. Problems

Med Dose Calc. Problems

Nursing News

Interesting article on ThedaCare's Collaborative Care Model

Possible breakthrough regarding MS

16th Philly area hospital to stop delivering babies: Mercy...

Really interesting article on Indian open hearts

High-Tech Pump Does What Her Heart Can't

Air Force RN Found Not Guilty

Hospital Falters as Refuge for Illegal Immigrants

California Imposes Stricter Rules Regarding Drug Abuse In...

Are older nurses being forced out of the profession?

An outlook in California?

Nursing Articles

Society Needs Care Too

Why am I doing this, anyway?

Nurse Heal Thyself

My Papa, why I am the nurse I am today.

I made it through

An angel's gaze

A Sister Never Forgets

Ruby's Marbles

What Do Operating Room Nurses Do?

My Little Old Jedi

I love this job......

"I hear voices"

Preventing FRUTI (Foley Related Urinary Tract Infection) in...

Error and Attitude

It's Just a Shower

Available Topics (tags)