Dosage Calculations

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I just started nursing school this week and find dosage calculations very confusing. Can anyone recommend some supplement material/books that you found very helpful. I've been out of school over ten years so I'm looking for something that's easy to understand.

Thanks!!!

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

medication math are word problems at 8th grade level math. there are 3 terms in medication calculation problems you need to always look for to solve:

  • what the doctor ordered for the patient
  • the drug you have available to give and the form it comes in
  • what you will end up giving to the patient

problems consist of giving you any combination of 2 out of 3 of those terms. the reason your instructor likes to use dimensional analysis, also called the factor label method, is because it allows you to work between all kinds of conversions in dose and weight units that instructors like to put into these problems without losing track of where you are going. [i read your other post.] when i solve problems on allnurses, i use dimensional analysis. however, at work, almost all problems can be solved by using the simple formula dose desired divided by dose on hand multiplied by the amount the dose on hand comes in. but remember that you are in a school situation and who knows what your instructors will expect you to be able to perform.

there are a number of free medication calculation tutorials that are listed on post #2 of the nursing math thread along with a number of problems that are worked out: https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/nursing-math-thread-264395.html. this sticky thread has many more problems also worked out on it:

https://allnurses.com/nursing-student-assistance/dosage-calculations-88867.html - dosage calculations

please check out the other sticky threads on this forum for other useful weblinks for your studies. there are other sticky threads on the general nursing student discussion forum as well.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, LTC.

get the book "Dosage Calculations Made Incredibly Easy"

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i would highly recommend the allnurses thread about drug calculations. it really helped me.

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Specializes in LTC.

I didn't use my pharm book for dosage calculations. My instructor showed us her way of doing the formulas and I can't do it any other way. What formulas are you using?

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Calculate With Confidence (by Deborah Gray Morris) is EXCELLENT. I don't think I could have passed my IV math test without it (and we weren't allowed to use calculators on it and needed at least a 90% to pass). It really breaks things down for and shows you how to solve problems different ways - such as solving by ratio & proportion or solving by dimensional analysis (which I hate). It really helps you find what works for you in terms of solving problems. There are A LOT of practice problems in the book and it comes with a CD which has even more problems. I couldn't rave enough about this book. I think I paid $49.95 for it brand new but it was money well-spent :)

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Specializes in geriatrics.

I Googled "LPN Quick Reference" and found a pocket guide that contains the formulas and conversions. I just ordered it from Amazon. Very excited to get it. I don't start until June 29th, but I'm already trying to learn the math.

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That is great, that you are getting a heads up on the math. That to me was very intimidating.....I practiced as much as I could. I was so relieved I had passed the math test on the 1st go, I walked out the room and down the hall and I busted out crying, I was over the first hurdle...........one less thing I didn't have to worry about....Lots of luck, you can do it, don't give up............

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Thanks! I actually like it. Now that I can connect it to something real, I find it really enjoyable. I think that's what I worry about most - making a mistake on a dosage. I'm very careful and deliberate about things, though. Maybe that comes from being an older student. Also, my 10 year old daughter has been diabetic since the age of 2 :cry: So I got used to calculating dosages. She's still alive, has all her fingers and toes and her vision, so I guess I did something right:yeah:

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I practice with my textbook and the CD that came with it. I have a really hard time with drug calculations as well. I think I'm going to go invest in another book that might provide more examples and in depth detail. I'm not the greatest at math and sorta need it pounded in my brain.

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I start Nursing School in the Fall, and I have been using this summer to learn dosage calculations.

I really reccomend the book, Dosage Calculations, by Gloria D. Pickar (8th ed.) You can get it on ebay for like $40. This book does a great job breaking down each problem, and using pictures of actual medicine labels. I'm half way through the book and have been having a very easy time learning the material.

It also has many practice sections, and comes with a great quiz CD.

GOODLUCK!

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Specializes in orthopedics and telemetry.

I was horrible with math and failed every test except like one or two the first time i was in the lpn program i got sick and dropped while i was out getting better i invested in a book called math for nurses it was 16.95 by mary e stassi & margaret a tiemann really worth cause now that i'm back in the program i have passed every math test and my pharmacology grade is an b goodluck i hope this helps

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