Dimensional Analysis

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Hi everyone. So in my nursing school we use dimensional analysis, and I have the basics down like solving for hrs or mls, but can't seem to figure out how to set up when solving for days. It's probably so simple but I'm confused, please help! One example I have is this:

Patient is going on vacation taking Maalox 2tsp ac & hs. How many days will a 12oz bottle last?

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

convert oz to mls

How many mls is 2oz? 30mls right? If the take 2oz/30mls BID that is 60 mls daily.

How many mls is 12oz? 356mls right?

So if you are giving 60mls a day how long will a 356ml bottle last? 356/60

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.
Hi everyone. So in my nursing school we use dimensional analysis, and I have the basics down like solving for hrs or mls, but can't seem to figure out how to set up when solving for days. It's probably so simple but I'm confused, please help! One example I have is this:

Patient is going on vacation taking Maalox 2tsp ac & hs. How many days will a 12oz bottle last?

Not sure of the timing of the dosage because you state "2 tsp ac & hs". What does this mean?

Let's say you meant to say every 6 hours. There would be 4 doses in a 24 hour period (1 day = 24 hours). There are 30 mL in 1 ounce. There are 5 mL in 1 tsp.

There is all the info you need to set up your dimensional analysis and solve the problem :) Hint: always start with the unit you're looking for in the numerator of your first fraction and you can't go wrong (1 day/24 hours)

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

2tsp = 10ml (1tsp = 5mL, 1 TBSP = 3 tsp = 15mL = 0.5 oz). 1 oz= 30mL

AC (before meals) - assume 3 meals + HS (hour of sleep / bed time) = 4 doses/day =. 4 doses/day x 10mL/dose = 40mL daily.

30mL ~=1oz

12oz x 30mL/oz = _________mL

________mL(in bottle) / 40mL/day = ______ days supply

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Oh crap 3 meals and hs...:facepalm: and 2 tsp not 2 oz...I need another cup of coffee...:blink:

Ok...new math...LOL

If you are giving

Maalox 2tsp ac & hs. How many days will a 12oz bottle last?

How mls is 2tsp? If there is 5mls/tsp....2 tsp = 10mls (5mls x 2doses)

They are taking it ac and hs (after meals and at bedtime) that is how many mls each day? 10mls x 4= 40mls/day

If the bottle has 12oz/356mls....how many days will the bottle last? 356mls/40mls/day is...._____days

Sorry I was brain dead....:facepalm:

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Oh crap 3 meals and hs...:facepalm: and 2 tsp not 2 oz...I need another cup of coffee...:blink: Ok...new math...LOL If you are giving How mls is 2tsp? If there is 5mls/tsp....2 tsp = 10mls (5mls x 2doses) They are taking it ac and hs (after meals and at bedtime) that is how many mls each day? 10mls x 4= 40mls/day If the bottle has 12oz/356mls....how many days will the bottle last? 356mls/40mls/day is...._____days Sorry I was brain dead....:facepalm:

AC = ante (before meals)

PC = post ( after meals)

More coffee needed?

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
AC = ante (before meals)

PC = post ( after meals)

More coffee needed?

Sweet Jesus...yes...what is wrong with me this morning?? :banghead:

I'm going back to bed and not answering any question until noon.:bag:

Thanks Beachy!:speechless:

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Oh crap 3 meals and hs...:facepalm: and 2 tsp not 2 oz...I need another cup of coffee...:blink:

Ok...new math...LOL

If you are giving

How mls is 2tsp? If there is 5mls/tsp....2 tsp = 10mls (5mls x 2doses)

They are taking it ac and hs (after meals and at bedtime) that is how many mls each day? 10mls x 4= 40mls/day

If the bottle has 12oz/356mls....how many days will the bottle last? 356mls/40mls/day is...._____days

Sorry I was brain dead....:facepalm:

BEFORE meals BEFORE meals... I am an idiot this morning..:banghead::banghead::banghead:

Now that I have completely screwed that up.....LOL...I'm off to bed to nurse myself.

I feel like :poop:

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Thank you so much for your help!

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Specializes in NICU.
BEFORE meals BEFORE meals... I am an idiot this morning..:banghead::banghead::banghead:

Now that I have completely screwed that up.....LOL...I'm off to bed to nurse myself.

I feel like :poop:

LOL The great and powerful Esme makes mistakes. She does have bad days like the rest of us.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

ABSOLUTELY!!!! :yeah:

I have no idea where my brain was this morning...clearly I left it somewhere other than in my brain.

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LOL The great and powerful Esme makes mistakes. She does have bad days like the rest of us.

OMG, she really IS human!? I just thought she was this computer generated goddess that knew all the answers and offered hugs to us all

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