Dimensional Analysis

[lil'India]

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?

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

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

What makes you think she is human? All of her avatars are of a dog acting like a human. My guess is that she is a very smart dog acting like a human nurse.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I love you guys.....that is my baby girl Casper. She is a ham and my four legged 3rd baby.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Like "Dog with a Blog" but "Nurse Dog with a Blog"

[TC3200]

Why even go to ml? Just stay in ounces. Use the easy conversion factor and it becomes an easy pencil and paper calculation:

1 fluid oz = 6 tsp, if we are using USA units, not UK or other.

ac doses are 2 tsp x 3 meals/day = 6 tsp + hs one dose at night = 2 more tsp, so the total

= 8 tsp/day, total Maalox per day

Here's your equation:

12 oz bottle x (6tsp/oz) x (1day/8tsp)

oz and tsp cancel out

You are left with 12x6day/8, right? That reduces to 3x3 = 9 days

The 12x6 converts total fluid ounces to total teaspoons in the bottle, and then you divide by dosage of 8 tsp per day.

These factor label a.k.a. dimensional analysis calculations are far easier to show on blackboards or pencil and paper, because then you can easily see how the units cancel out and leave you with only the ones you wanted, if you have set your equation up properly.

[LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN]

Dimensional analysis is the . I think I may finally have it down though...... just in time for finals.

[pookyp, LPN]

What makes you think she is human? All of her avatars are of a dog acting like a human. My guess is that she is a very smart dog acting like a human nurse.

Lol!!