two more math questions

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Digoxin 2 gm has been ordered. Digoxin is available in 250mg per 5mL. How many tbsp should be given?

I have tried taking 2gm/1000 or taking 250*1000 then taking that number and multiplying by 5mL but nothing seems to come out right to factor in the tbsp.

Am I missing something here?

5ml of digoxin has been ordered. This is equivalent to how many grams?

I dont even know where to begin with this one!

If the second question does not state something other than what's 5ml in grams than there is info missing. Not all meds have the same ml per g dose. That's why I uses the info from the 1st question I assumes it was a two part question using the same info.

Cris_tal1303

I used the info for the first question as an umbrella info for both questions. Unless you have a specified amount of mg or g in mL, you can't solve for grams.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
so would the answer to second question be 5?
First....You don't need to know the answer to the question...you need to know how to figure out the problem to arrive at the answer. Calculations are a part of your everyday life as a nurse.

Second...may I point out here that 2 GRAMS of digoxin is a HUGE dose of digoxin (unless loading however that usually isn't given in a one time big dose) and in real life this order needs to be questioned and not given..or am I missing something. I dislike questions made up for the sake of math...it gives the student the assumption that these dosages are acceptable....when in reality they are not.

Third....technically there isn't enough information to answer question #2. We are ASSuming that it is using the information from question #1 and applying it to question #2

This is a multistep question.

Digoxin 2 gm has been ordered. Digoxin is available in 250mg per 5mL. How many tbsp should be given?
You need 2 GRAMS to be given. You HAVE 250mgs on hand.

You need to convert the grams into milligrams.

Mass:

  • mcg → mg → g → kg ( ÷ by 1,000 )
  • mcg ← mg ← g ← kg ( x by 1,000 )
  • lb → kg ( ÷ by 2.2 )
  • lb ← kg ( x by 2.2 )

Volume:

  • mcL → mL → L → kL ( ÷ by 1,000 )
  • mcL ← mL ← L ← kL ( x by 1,000 )

Time:

  • min → hr ( ÷ by 60 )
  • min ← hr ( x by 60 )

DosageHelp.com - Helping Nursing Students Learn Dosage Calculations - Unit Conversion

Then you need to do the calculation....you NEED 2000mg and you have 250mgs/5ml on hand. DosageHelp.com - Helping Nursing Students Learn Dosage Calculations - Mass/Liquid For Liquid Questions

[TABLE=class: example]

[TR]

[TD][TABLE=class: fraction]

[TR]

[TD=class: numerator]Ordered[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=class: denominator] Have[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[/TD]

[TD] x Volume Per Have[/TD]

[TD] = Y (Liquid Required)[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

2000mgs x 5ml = 40mls

250mgs

Now how many teaspoons are in 40mls....KNOW YOUR CONVERSIONS. This requires memorization

There is 5mls per teaspoon.

40mls = 8tsp (teaspoons)

5mls

Now if question #2 refers to question #1 you have

Digoxin is available in 250mg per 5mL
5ml of digoxin has been ordered. This is equivalent to how many grams.

  • mcg → mg → g → kg ( ÷ by 1,000 )

250mg = 0.25grams

1000gm

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Conversion factors

http://www.cpcc.edu/ccr/volunteer/resources/new-conversion-chart.pdf

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2000mg/250mg = 8*5 ml = 40 ml = 8 tsp or 2.67 tbsp

This is what i have for the first problem...........

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Who the hell would order two GRAMS of digoxin? I sure as hell wouldn't GIVE it.

(Hint: very common drug, please look up usual doses stat so you are never, ever tempted to give this much when someone writes for it erroneously)

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Who the hell would order two GRAMS of digoxin? I sure as hell wouldn't GIVE it.

(Hint: very common drug, please look up usual doses stat so you are never, ever tempted to give this much when someone writes for it erroneously)

I said that first sentence out loud when I read this problem yesterday!

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Thanks for everyones help. I ended up passing my mac exam with 100% for this semester

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I did not make up the problems. They were given to us to work on gor our math test

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I did not make up the problems. They were given to us to work on gor our math test

We know that...some of us are, or have been, instructors.

I was merely pointing out that I find it frustrating that some instructors make up problems for the math without much thought. Which I believe is wrong. Making up a problem with such inaccurate information...like a dosage of 2 GRAMS for digoxin...indicates that this dosage is ok....this dosage is NOT ok EVER!

I think no teaching opportunity should be lost...EVER.

IN the real world this calculation would never happen..... I'd see the order and think NO WAY! No calculation necessary because I'm not giving this drug at this dosage.

THe only thing I would be doing is calling the MD and asking them for the real order for this patient.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Thanks for everyones help. I ended up passing my mac exam with 100% for this semester
Congrats on the exam!
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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Who the hell would order two GRAMS of digoxin? I sure as hell wouldn't GIVE it.

(Hint: very common drug, please look up usual doses stat so you are never, ever tempted to give this much when someone writes for it erroneously)

I was trying to be diplomatic.....LOLOLOL

Every time I say NEVER EVER give this....someone comes along with anecdotal evidence of the one rare time something happened and was given to a lab rat.

OP NEVER EVER GIVE THIS DOSAGE OF THIS DRUG

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