Pharma & Math Calculations

Updated:   Published

Specializes in Critical care, Pediatris & Geriatrics.

I'm taking pharma and the math calculations involved are confusing me. I keep going over them but I have a test Wednesday and don't know if I'm anywhere ready for it. any suggestions on it? I must know basic tablet, oral calculations, but also IV & drip rates. there is so much to know. please if anyone is currently or has ever taken pharmacology, give me some suggestions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have found this site helpful. I use it to study for all of my dosage calculations tests. I hope you find it helpful.

http://home.sc.rr.com/nurdosagecal/

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

i will answer and solve a lot of dosage calculation problems, but they are usually posted in the nursing student assistance or general nursing student discussion forums. you can see examples of solved problems on this sticky thread in the nursing student assistance forum:

also, if you do an advanced search of allnurses and use the words "dimensional" or "analysis" along with my screen name, you will get a return of all kinds of threads where students have posted questions on how to solve specific drug calculation questions. i solve using dimensional analysis and the dose desired divided by dose on hand formula. i also recommend that you understand the rules of doing math with fractions:

some other links you might find helpful:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical care, Pediatris & Geriatrics.

Thanks you both, I appreciate it, I'm practicing and trying to get it. Tomorrow I have Midterms, I must know these, so up all night it is!!

take care,

Amy, nurse2b

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical care, Pediatris & Geriatrics.

Well I recieved my results for my Midterm test in Pharmacology. I got only a 75! I was so upset. wow. But there is so much to remember. I do have almost 30 points extra in the class for extra credit. I was hoping for at least a high B. I guess I need to be thankful for at least a passing grade. Anyone else taking Pharma?

Amy, nurse_2b

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Your Welcome! And hey, at least you past!

Now, I don't mean to be rude, just wondering.....what is your grading scale? We have to have at least an 80%. I know each school has something a bit different.

If you want to improve your grade.... just keep workin' on those math problems. I'm not too great at the whole math thing either, but I practice these problems for about a week before my dosage calc tests and periodically during the school year just to keep my mind fresh for those few instances when I actually have to do it in clinicals. There are a couple other sites I use too, but this is one of my favorites.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Okay, heres one for you. Ordered: Pediapred 2mg/kg

Available: Pediapred 5mg/ml

childs weight: 15kg

I took 15 x 2 = 30/5mg/ml and it =he 2ml's 6ml's. Next, I took the 2mg and divided it by 5mg = 0.4. multiplied this x 3 (6/2=3) and got 1.2ml.

However, the instructor wrote the answer out like this:

Give ___mg in ___mls. So, I wrote it like she asked for it and gave 6ml in 1.2 ml's. will this be right?? I know the math is correct (at least I think so) but the way the answer is written is not. So, what do you think?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Okay, heres one for you. Ordered: Pediapred 2mg/kg

Available: Pediapred 5mg/ml

childs weight: 15kg

I took 15 x 2 = 30/5mg/ml and it =he 2ml's 6ml's. Next, I took the 2mg and divided it by 5mg = 0.4. multiplied this x 3 (6/2=3) and got 1.2ml.

However, the instructor wrote the answer out like this:

Give ___mg in ___mls. So, I wrote it like she asked for it and gave 6ml in 1.2 ml's. will this be right?? I know the math is correct (at least I think so) but the way the answer is written is not. So, what do you think?

how can you give 6 mL in 1.2 mLs???

anyway, if you want to break it up into 2 parts as you did, do this:

15kg * 2mg/kg = the order is for 30 mg

30mg * mL/5mg = give 6 mL

answer: give 30 mg in 6 mL

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical care, Pediatris & Geriatrics.

update!

i finished pharma and passed with a b! wooooo~hooooo...i'm done, done done done done done....just the core is left. yay. relief. best wishes to everyone in the coming spring programs.

amy_nurse2b

Up Vote Up Vote ×

:balloons:congratulations!!!:balloons:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Ok I am drawing a blank with this one.

Pepsid 20 mg IV push is ordered. Available is 20 mg in 2 ml. I t must be diluted in 8ml. If the infusion rate is 10mg/min how many minutes will it take to administer 20 mg ??

Any body want to try and explain that to me : ) I am having a brain freeze.:uhoh21:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Ok why when I put it on this board did it look different to me >> LOL..I see it now......the answer is 2 min .....right ? Alll the stuff on top was just "fluff".....right ?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion