Best method for figuring dosage calculations!!!!

[survrgrl08]

Hi all!!

I've been working on dosage calcs off and on this summer so I can be prepared for this fall when I start Nursing school:lol2: I'm curious to know from you veterns out there which method is the best. Right now I am finding the formula method the best!! Tips, hints or ideas are GLADLY welcomed!!!

Thank you!!

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

For more simple math I'm more comfortable with formulas, and with critical care math I'm more comfortable with ratio/proportion (couldn't remember all of those formulas to save my life!!)

[Nepenthe Sea]

Dimensional Analysis is the way to go. It sounds intimidating at first, but we used a tiny book (Math Magic) and by the end of the book, you have it all down. There were a few incorrect answers, though, that the instructors had to show us. When you use DA, you cancel out everything until all you have left are the numbers, and then you just multiply, divide, and round. No formulas to memorize! The biggest part of "getting" dosage calculations is to practice over and over again until you are comfortable with it.

[Samantha79]

I was taught using ratio and proportion. WAY easy. Basically, what is the order vs what is on hand and you've got your answer. It's pretty straight forward, at least for me, this is how my brain works normally in most situations.