Dosage Calculation Help!

loricatus · Feb 3, 2009

In reality the calculations are easy. Some people just get hung up on all the extra information put into a simple math question. If you have a knack for math, then I do not think you are missing anything.

Here's a decent website:

http://www.dosagehelp.com/

Don't think that you should invest $60.00 for something that you don't appear to need. There are plenty of websites to help you and the school's library may have books to give you practice questions.

Sometimes it helps you if you offer to tutor someone who is having difficulty-keeps the mind sharp.

truern · Feb 3, 2009

Some people get it, some don't. Sounds like you're one that does :)

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2009

make sure you've checked the websites on post #2 of this sticky thread: https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/nursing-math-thread-264395.html - the nursing math thread

2CatLover · Feb 6, 2009

hi everyone,

i could use help with this iv calculation question please to see if i'm reading it correctly to calcuate it. the instructor was kind enough to give us extra practice problems for the upcoming math calc test on tues, but eliminated the answers - so this is why i'm asking for help please!

the order is for (dilantin) 150mg ivbp q 12 hrs. available to the nurse is 100ml of ns with 150mg of dilantin with instructions to infuse over 45 mins. the iv tuding delivers 10 gtts/ml. the ivpb is placed on an infusion pump. the rate of the infusion will be how many ml/hr?

since on an infusion pump, wouldn't you disregard the 10gtts/ml? infusion pumps are based on hours not minutes correct.

so the way i see this is: 100ml/12hrs = 8.3ml = to set pump at 8 ml/hr or am i completly off base?

2catlover

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Feb 6, 2009

the order is for (dilantin) 150mg ivbp q 12 hrs. available to the nurse is 100ml of ns with 150mg of dilantin with instructions to infuse over 45 mins. the iv tuding delivers 10 gtts/ml. the ivpb is placed on an infusion pump. the rate of the infusion will be how many ml/hr?

infusion pumps are always set to deliver at ml/hour, so you have to determine what the rate/hour will be. you can do this as a ratio (remember that 60 minutes = 1 hour):

100 ml/45 minutes = x ml/60 minutes, x =

133 ml

(rounded off)

or by dimensional analysis:

100 ml/45 minutes

(amount and time to give)

x 60 minutes/1 hour

(conversion factor)

= 133.33 ml/hour

, rounded off to

133 ml/hour

(rate to set the pump)

2CatLover · Feb 6, 2009

infusion pumps are always set to deliver at ml/hour, so you have to determine what the rate/hour will be. you can do this as a ratio (remember that 60 minutes = 1 hour):
100 ml/45 minutes = x ml/60 minutes, x =
133 ml
(rounded off)
or by dimensional analysis:
100 ml/45 minutes
(amount and time to give)
x 60 minutes/1 hour
(conversion factor)
= 133.33 ml/hour
, rounded off to
133 ml/hour
(rate to set the pump)

thanks for the quick response. now is this the complete answer at 133ml/hr. am i supposed to consider a 2 part to this question since the order states q12 hrs. or am i reading too much into this question?

2catlover

melmarie23, MSN, RN · Feb 7, 2009

You are reading too much into it. Do your calculation based on one dose/administration.

Brenda123 · Feb 7, 2009

There are tons on tuturials on line. just type in nursing calculations tuturials. The confidence book did not work for me. Too confusing,

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Feb 7, 2009

now is this the complete answer at 133ml/hr. am i supposed to consider a 2 part to this question since the order states q12 hrs. or am i reading too much into this question?

that is the complete answer. you will give each dose at 133 ml/hour on a pump every 12 hours. you are reading too much into the question. just answer what is being asked of you and nothing more.