Published Aug 22, 2013
JamieK34
2 Posts
Hi! I start nursing school next week and this dosage calculation test has me so nervous! Does anyone have any advice or resources that can help me prepare besides my books? Thanks!
RNstudent13renee
99 Posts
It is necessary to know conversions, mainly you will use milligrams to grams, kg to lbs, mL to L, (vice versa for all) etc. I'm assuming you took chemistry, that helped me learn the conversions. Try looking up dimensional analysis, it seems to be the easiest way to do dosage calc, at least for me. Our program goes through ATI and it is very helpful with the tutorials. I also found that youtube has great videos relating to dosage calc if you are confused on any one type of problem. The hardest thing for me was learning how to plug in the conversion factors.
Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN
20,908 Posts
Great sites.....
dosagehelp.com - helping nursing students learn dosage calculations - dosage question steps
[color=#660099]drug dose calculations - dave's ems
Conversion factors for nursing students.
Know your conversions
The Short List 1 cup © = 8 ounces (oz)
1 dram (dr) = 60 grains (gr)
1 dram (fl dr) = 60 minims
1 gallon (gal) = 4 quarts (qt)
1 glass = 8 ounces (oz)
1 grain (gr) = 64.8 milligrams (mg)
1 gram (g) = 15.43 grains (gr)
1 inch (in) = 2.54 centimeters (cm)
1 kilogram (kg) = 2.2 pounds (lb)
1 liter (L) = 1.057 quarts (qt)
1 milliliter (mL) = 16.23 minims
1 minim = 1 drop (gt)
1 ounce (oz) = 2 tablespoons (tbsp)
1 ounce (oz) = 8 drams (dr)
1 ounce (fl oz) = 29.57 milliliters (mL)
1 pint (pt) = 16 ounces (oz)
1 pound (lb) = 16 ounces (oz)
1 quart (qt) = 0.946 liters (L)
1 quart (qt) = 2 pints (pt)
1 tablespoon (tbsp) = 3 teaspoons (tsp)
1 teacup = 6 ounces (oz)
1 teaspoon (tsp) = 4.93 mL
The Long list
1 central = 45,359 grams (g)
1 centimeter (cm) = 10 millimeters (mm)
1 cubic centimeter (cc) = 1 milliliter (mL)
1 cup © = 8 ounces (oz)
1 drachm = 3.55 milliliter (mL)
1 gill = 4 ounces (oz)
1 gram (g) = 1,000 milligrams (mg)
1 gram (g) = 1,000,000 micrograms (mcg)
1 hand = 4 inches (in)
1 kilogram (kg) = 1,000 grams (g)
1 liter (L) = 1000 milliliters (mL)
1 meter (m) = 1,000 millimeters (mm)
1 meter (m) = 100 centimeters (cm)
1 milligram (mg) = 1,000 micrograms (mcg)
1 milliliter (mL) = 1 cubic centimeter (cc)
1 milliliter (mL) = 15 drops (gt)
1 ounce (fl oz) = 2 tablespoons (tbsp)
1 ounce (oz) = 20 pennyweights (dwt)
1 ounce (oz) = 24 scruples
1 ounce (oz) = 31.1 grams (g)
1 ounce (oz) = 480 grains (gr)
1 ounce, fluid (fl oz) = 29.57 milliliters (mL)
1 palm = 3 inches (in)
1 pennyweight (dwt) = 24 grains (gr)
1 pint (pt) = 4 gills
1 pound (lb) = 350 scruples
1 scruple = 20 grains (gr)
1 stone = 0.14 cents
1 teaspoon (tsp) = 60 drops (gtt)