HELP! 221 @ HFCC math....

J9G2008 · Aug 24, 2009

Hello! A microgram=1000 mg. Usually I figure it all out in micrograms, then move the decimal to the left three places to get mgs.

Also, a microdrip and a minidrip are the same thing, and they run at 60 gtt/mL. This is also equal to the mL per hour rate. So, if you have an IV running at 100mL per hour on a microdrip, it equals out to 100 gtt/min. Cool, huh? You don't have to figure out the per minute rate and multiply by 60, although you could.

I have that same test Friday. Fear not! Just do the practice problems in the module (my goodness, there are bunches!) and also there's a test on the K drive. Oh, and be aware that there are some wrong answers sprinkled in the tests. So, don't just assume that you did it wrong. I just put a question mark by those, and I will be that annoying person on Thursday who says, "What about question number..." : )

ToBANurse2010 · Aug 24, 2009

I'll also be there on thursday. I'll b the 1 that's sitting there looking confused:chuckle:chuckle. J9G2008 is absolutely right that how you do these questions. You have to convert mcg to mg or g to mg just move the decimal to the right or left three places. :up: This is a question I got off the K-drive:

Ordered Nitrostat 8mg in 500mL D5/W I.V. to control client/s chest pain. Pain control is achieved at 30 microdrops per minute. How many mcg of Nitroglycerin is the client receiving per minute?

This is how I did the problem:

1st convert 8mg to mcg= 8000mcg

2nd 8000mcg/500mL= 16mcg/mL

3rd 16mcg/mL x 30mL= 480mcg/mL

4th 480mcg/60 min= 8mcg/min

Hope this helped :wink2: :yeah:

RN2B73 · Aug 25, 2009

My problem is being able to look at the problem and determining what I need to do first. I've always made story problems harder than they are and that is basically what these are. Once I get the formulas down I'll be good but trying to learn this on my own with no direction is testing my patience (the little that I do have)....your way makes sense but it's different from the way the book shows!!!!!!! Uhggggggg....it's getting easier but its gonna take time...time I DON"T HAVE...lol