Help with med calculation please

tokmom, BSN, RN · Oct 2, 2011

Sorry, we cannot give you that kind of information. Hope grandma feels better quickly.

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Oct 2, 2011

Yep...hugs to Grandma :) You can call the pharmacy-- the label should be really clear though; not many people go home on IMs unless there's someone who can give them ????

OCNRN63, RN · Oct 2, 2011

Call the pharm. They'll figure out the appropriate quantity you should give.

You're not a nurse/student...do you even feel comfortable giving an IM antibiotic? There were no other alternatives but an IM abx? Strange.

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Oct 2, 2011

I have not started nursing school yet, but I do have question.. My grandma just got Gentimycin tonight and the pharmacy around here is not open...... The medication is 80 mg/2 ml She needs to take 60 mg IM..... Can you help me calculate this into ML so I can give her her injections... I tried and I came up with 1.5 ML.......but I dont want to give her any until I get the right answer..... THanks

Does your grandmother's insurance have a "nurse hotline" or something similar? Maybe they could help with the dosing, but really the dispensing pharmacy should have made that pretty clear.

Isabelle49 · Oct 2, 2011

You should not be giving injections without proper training. There are serious risks if you are not educated in this procedure.

FLArn · Oct 2, 2011

Some hospitals or outpatient urgent care centers have nurse hotlines. You might try 1 of those.

Katie803 · Oct 2, 2011

I know sometimes dr's will teach family how to give injections, have you learned this yet? this is a certain technique to it, otherwise it could have uncomfortable results for your grandma. or maybe you have experience from another place? if she insists that you give it, then thats up to you, but just remember that you have to be careful. Is there a 24 pharmacy around you? maybe they can help. Or if she went to the ER, you can call them and explain the situation and they should be able to help. another thing to try if your grandma got it from her dr's office is to call and see if they have an after hours nurse or dr on call. Just because the pharmacy where she got it filled is closed doesn't mean that you are out of options until they reopen. Try to do whatever you can to find the answer, if her dr feels IM antibiotics are the only way to go then she needs to start them as soon as she can and finish them up instead of stopping before the med is out just because she feels better. Don't think the people on here are trying to be rude, unconcerned, or unhelpful, but even giving advice on here can cause a lawsuit. And it's all the sue-happy folks out there that make it harder for everyone. Goof luck!

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Oct 2, 2011

I don't get why an IM rx was sent with someone who can't get the dose....or why it's not on the label, very clearly as it relates to the concentration.

Or if this is an attempt to get homework double checked? THAT would at least be something we could discuss....and a breath of fresh air that it had been thought through....

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 2, 2011

Hi, there. I hope that all is going well with you and your grandmother.

Unfortunately, the membership here is not permitted to calculate the dose of your grandmother's medication due to liability issues. Therefore, we are compassionately closing your thread and are urging you to visit a pharmacist or your grandmother's physician as soon as humanly possible.