Dosage Calc Help!

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So, I'm using this interactive program for my Dosage Course. I'm starting to wonder if there are errors in the program, however.

I'll cut to the chase..

"A physician prescribes 0.4mcg of a medication that is available as 500mg/2mL. What's the amount in mL that the nurse should administer?"

It's telling me the answer is 1.6mL..

But when I use DA, FM, etc that isn't the answer I get.

What do you get?

I tried googling the problem but nothing came up.

If you don't mind me asking, Im sorry in advance Im really new to nursing, What is PICU ?

Pediatric intensive care unit, where most (or all) medications are weight based.

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Pediatric intensive care unit, where most (or all) medications are weight based.

Thanks so much :D

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Specializes in 15 years in ICU, 22 years in PACU.
So, I'm using this interactive program for my Dosage Course. I'm starting to wonder if there are errors in the program, however.

I'll cut to the chase..

"A physician prescribes 0.4mcg of a medication that is available as 500mg/2mL. What's the amount in mL that the nurse should administer?"

It's telling me the answer is 1.6mL..

But when I use DA, FM, etc that isn't the answer I get.

What do you get?

I tried googling the problem but nothing came up.

Since 0.0000016ml is practically impossibe to administer I think there is a typo somewhere in the problem.

Best GUESS is the prescribed amout is 0.4 GM. You would have to claify with TPTB to get credit for the problem though.

A little critical thinking is in order here. No medication that is going to be prescribed in partial mcg would be available as 500mg/2ml unless there was severe dilution required. I would be calling Pharmacy to get a different preparation or the Physician to get a different dose.

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Specializes in progressive care. med surg. tele. LTC. psych..

Haha! Thank you all!!! :))

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Specializes in progressive care. med surg. tele. LTC. psych..
Since 0.0000016ml is practically impossibe to administer I think there is a typo somewhere in the problem.

Best GUESS is the prescribed amout is 0.4 GM. You would have to claify with TPTB to get credit for the problem though.

A little critical thinking is in order here. No medication that is going to be prescribed in partial mcg would be available as 500mg/2ml unless there was severe dilution required. I would be calling Pharmacy to get a different preparation or the Physician to get a different dose.

Yes, the program we use for my class has made a few errors in problems as well as answers. I just like to make sure I'm not imagining it before I ask my instructor to credit me the points back! [emoji13][emoji13][emoji13]

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Specializes in Cardiac, Wound Care, Nucler Health care.

I graduated in 2003 with my LPN and throughout nursing school I was always taught to use the ratio proportion method. . I'm currently in the LPN to RN Transition and this school requires you make a 90% on the Drug test regardless if your passing all the other classes. What I'm having a problem with is I was taught to use the ratio proportion calculation and this school requires you to use the Dimensional analysis method and I've been told that this is the fastest and most accurate way to solve drug calculations, and I have tried to use my old method and due to the D&A rounding at the end of the problem I always end up just shy of the correct answer. It so stressful, and I don't feel confident in know the correct way to set up the D&A and I'm overloaded as it is and as a LPN this school thinks you should already know how to do Drug Calculations but I haven't had to use calculation in years. I worked at a hospital that has all this covered and yes I feel I'm competent enough to notice if something is not right with a dosage but this new Dimensional analysis is a little confusion. I decided to take the class this Summer on my own, it's available online and you can come to the tutoring sections if needed, I was hoping for some input from all of you about the best way to overcome the understanding of D&A and if anyone feels that this is the best method of relearning drug calculation. I would so appreciate any suggestions or potential resources to help me grasp this totally new way of calculating drugs. Really would appreciate any of your wisdom or guidance.. Carmen

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Specializes in Emergency.

You are required to use a specific method to solving drug calculations? Sounds bizarre to me. I could never do dimensional analysis; too confusing for me. We had to get 100% on every med calc test given and as long as we showed our work, that was fine.

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Specializes in progressive care. med surg. tele. LTC. psych..
I graduated in 2003 with my LPN and throughout nursing school I was always taught to use the ratio proportion method. . I'm currently in the LPN to RN Transition and this school requires you make a 90% on the Drug test regardless if your passing all the other classes. What I'm having a problem with is I was taught to use the ratio proportion calculation and this school requires you to use the Dimensional analysis method and I've been told that this is the fastest and most accurate way to solve drug calculations, and I have tried to use my old method and due to the D&A rounding at the end of the problem I always end up just shy of the correct answer.

Wait, they require you to use Dimensional Analysis but.. they taught you, right?! Are they just testing you expecting you to guess? If they are that's messed up.

But either way teaching you before testing you, I'd go on YouTube and look at some lessons!! It really helps me:)

Sorry for late reply! I don't use this site often lol.

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