Calculations, Please help me understand

sydie · Aug 28, 2005

First off, I assume that the problem says the tablet is available in 8 mg, as opposed to "m".

What I would do is first convert 0.024 g into mg. Since there are 1000 mg in 1 g you would multiply by 1000 (or think of it on the conversion scale...there are 3 places to the right from g to mg).

You will get 24 mg. Since you know there are 8 mg tablets available to simply divide 24/8= 3

You would give 3 tablets.

For the second one I think I got it, but I will let someone else explain. You need to convert quart to pint (there is 1 quart to 2 pints). You then convert pints to mL (There are 500 mL in 1 pints)

Hope that hlps somewhat...I am very new to this math too!

Princess74 · Aug 28, 2005

First off, I assume that the problem says the tablet is available in 8 mg, as opposed to "m".
What I would do is first convert 0.024 g into mg. Since there are 1000 mg in 1 g you would multiply by 1000 (or think of it on the conversion scale...there are 3 places to the right from g to mg).
You will get 24 mg. Since you know there are 8 mg tablets available to simply divide 24/8= 3
You would give 3 tablets.
For the second one I think I got it, but I will let someone else explain. You need to convert quart to pint (there is 1 quart to 2 pints). You then convert pints to mL (There are 500 mL in 1 pints)
Hope that hlps somewhat...I am very new to this math too!

Thanks. And yes I did mean mg, not m:chuckle

OUBobcat94 · Aug 28, 2005

I use the following formula for my calculations:

D

-- X V

H

D= Dose

H= What you have in stock

V= Vehicle

So the first problem you listed....

D= 0.024 g which you need to convert to mg because that's what your tablets are in so D= 24 mg

H= 8 mg tablets becasue that's what the problem says you have in stock

V= 1 because it's 8mg per 1 tablet (the vehicle is almost always 1 in tablet/pill questions- it changes for meds in syringes questions)

So the problem is:

24 mg (D)

--------- X 1 tablet = 3 tablets

8 mg (H)

It works for me...if you have any questions about it, let me know!!

-Bobcat

crb613, BSN, RN · Aug 29, 2005

Is there anyone out there that can help me understand how to do clinical calculations. I know how to set up the conversions, and cancel out what I do not need. But I do not know what math steps to use to actually solve the problem. (Do you always use the same steps or does it depend on the problem)
Example 1
A paitent needs 0.024 g of a sulfa drug. There are 8 m tablets in stock. How many tablets should be given.
Example 2
A container holds 0.750 qt of liquid. How many milliliters of lemonade will it hold?

Try this website its great! http://www.indstate.edu/mary/tutorial.htm I think you are using dimensional analysis & that's what I use. When you get to the page where this wesite takes you just scroll down. It explains dimensional analysis so well you will be a pro in no time! Good luck & I hope this is a help to you. :)

Princess74 · Aug 29, 2005

Try this website its great! http://www.indstate.edu/mary/tutorial.htm I think you are using dimensional analysis & that's what I use. When you get to the page where this wesite takes you just scroll down. It explains dimensional analysis so well you will be a pro in no time! Good luck & I hope this is a help to you. :)

Awesome website. Thank you so much:kiss

RNmaria · Aug 29, 2005

Thank you for the website! If anyone else has a website similar ot that I was really appricaite it if you post this. I am reviewing calculations prior to class and find any additional websites very helpful!

Pasha :)

Try this website its great! http://www.indstate.edu/mary/tutorial.htm I think you are using dimensional analysis & that's what I use. When you get to the page where this wesite takes you just scroll down. It explains dimensional analysis so well you will be a pro in no time! Good luck & I hope this is a help to you. :)

JentheRN05, RN · Aug 29, 2005

Thank you for the website! If anyone else has a website similar ot that I was really appricaite it if you post this. I am reviewing calculations prior to class and find any additional websites very helpful!
Pasha :)

but what if the g=grains? That changes the scenario.

BORI-BSNRN, BSN, RN · Aug 29, 2005

Try this website its great! http://www.indstate.edu/mary/tutorial.htm I think you are using dimensional analysis & that's what I use. When you get to the page where this wesite takes you just scroll down. It explains dimensional analysis so well you will be a pro in no time! Good luck & I hope this is a help to you. :)

Thanks very much for the website!! It's very helpful...Please if anyone can share more Nursing website i'll appreciate it. :) Thanks in advance!!

crb613, BSN, RN · Aug 29, 2005

Thanks very much for the website!! It's very helpful...Please if anyone can share more Nursing website i'll appreciate it. :) Thanks in advance!!

Here's another one http://www.dalesplace.net/factor.htm

This also explains dimensional analysis (also called factor label) very well.

fleasle · Aug 30, 2005

but what if the g=grains? That changes the scenario.

Problems with grains can be used with dimensional analysis. 1 grain = 60 mg. We were told that 60 mg is the standard conversion factor used, although, it is really like 59.66666 or something.

truern · Aug 30, 2005

It couldn't be grains...

0.024 g would have been presented as a fraction preceded by "gr" in that case.