Math for Meds

hi, kasm296!

i will attach a link at the end of my post that will take you to a page that gives an explanation of something called dimensional analysis for calculating drug problems and another for a nice easy to work with tutorial on drug calculations that has a lot of links within it as well as quizzes that you should bookmark for your future adventures into the world of drug calculations! basically, elementary algebra is really all you'll need. that, and an understanding of how ratios (aka fractions) work. dimensional analysis is a way of putting an equation together that is often used in chemistry. it allows you to add measurement conversions (such as 1 foot/12 inches) as a fraction (or ratio) to the equation and to set up and manipulate a series of ratios/fractions so that you are left with a number that contains the final dimensions (labels) you want. when you are working with these drug and med calculation problems you are often being asked to convert from milligrams to grams and from iv infusion tubing that drips at 10 drops a minute to 15 drops a minute. these are just examples. they may sound like greek right now, but when you start to get into this stuff and study it, they will make more sense. also, you will find a thread on drug calculations there with lots of links to practice problems on the student nurse assistance forum here https://allnurses.com/forums/f205/dosage-calculations-88867.html

http://www-isu.indstate.edu/mary/tutorial.htm - from the indiana state university a "basics" page on medication math with explanations on how to do a number of different types of medications problems (including iv problems), conversions and dimensional analysis with links to lots of practice quizzes.

http://www.accd.edu/sac/nursing/math/mathindex2.html - basic tutorial on getting started with pharmacology math. at the bottom of this home page is a drop down box where you link into any of the following subjects: common conversion factors/equivalencies, common abbreviations, ratio and proportion, iv problems, titration problems, and pediatric pharmacology math.

http://www.accd.edu/sac/nursing/math/default.html -- the start page of this pharmacology math tutorial presented by the nursing department at the san antonio college. by clicking on the "go figure" button you can access quizzes on basic med calculations, iv, pediatric and ob med calculations. the quizzes all have answers. follow the directions.