Math Problem.. Please Help!

[Sabr&Shukr]

Ok, this is the problem:

The physician orders ergocalciferol 240,000 units orally daily. Ergocalciferol is available in 8,000 units/milliliter. How many ounces should the nurse administer?

I know the conversion factor for oz/ml:

1 oz = 30 mL

I know the apothecary system is almost obsolete, but this was the question. I don't want the answer, just for someone to show me how to work it.

Thank you in advance!!

[mmgirlsmom]

convert 240,000 to mL

240,000 (ordered) / 8,000 (on hand ) = 30 / 30 = 1

or

convert to ml = 240,000 / 30 = 8000 / 8000 =1

I am only a second semester nursing student but I think this is correct. If not someone please let me know.

[Sabr&Shukr]

Thanks so much!

LOL That was such an easy problem, but I was wayy over-thinking it. Thanks so much again! :)

[mmgirlsmom]

We all do that and just assume our answer must be wrong and it usually isn't. Glad I could help.

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

Just remember the formula (Desired/Have) x Q.

Desired = what the physician orders. What is the dose that they want you to give? In this problem, it is 240,000 units daily.

Have = what you have on hand. 8,000 units/mL.

240,000 units / 8,000 units = 30

Q = quantity, this correlates to the mL of what you have on hand, and since it is 8,000units/mL, it would just be 1, so 30 x 1 = 30 = give 30mL. if it were say, 8,000units/2mL it would be 30 x 2; 8,000units/3mL would be 30 x 3, etc etc etc.

And make sure your units of measure match!

[loriangel14, RN]

We called that formula doc over stock. :)

[Nurseismade RN]

I know this is old.....but this is the formula I use

Dose/Hand=what to give. (called dose over hand) hand is the amount the med comes in)

240,000/8,000=30 unit/ml

then convert to ounces...which as you already stated, 30ml=1ounce

I use this formula for all my calculations...I did not like dimensional analysis..... I always got 100 too...lol