Foundation in Science

Mathematics 1
Drug Dosages and Calculations
 Associate Lecturers
Tung Li Qian
Ext: 2842
Email: tungliqian@imu.edu.my

Jessica Leong May Fong

Ext: 2108
Email: jessicaleong@imu.edu.my

Mohd Shaiful Bin Sharipudin

Ext: 1368
Email: mohdshaiful@imu.edu.my
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 Learning Outcomes
At the end of this topic, you should be able to:
 Distinguish between the three basic units of measure: length (meter),
weight (gram), and volume (liter) for each system.
 Make conversions within each system.
 Identify drug dosage strength, form and quantity on medication label.
 Interpret drug administration requirements and precautions on a
medication label.
 Recognize when drug dosage calculations, including equivalent
conversions, are necessary – for example, when the prescribed dose is
different than the available dose.
 Apply ratio and proportion, formula method and dimensional analysis to
solve oral drug dosage problems.
 Apply dosage calculation based on weight and body surface area.

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 The Metric, Household and
Apothecary Systems
• The Metric System is the most popular system used today for
drug prescription and administration because it is the most
accurate system.
• The metric system has 3 basic units measurement:
length (meter),
volume (liter) and
weight (gram, milligram, microgram and kilogram)

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 The Metric, Household and
Apothecary Systems (cont…)
The Apothecary System is not recommended for use today. The
use of symbols and fractions is confusing and can lead to errors.
(for example: grain, dram, ounce)

Unit Weight or Volume Abbreviation or Term

Grain gr
Drop One drop of water gtt
Minim One drop m
Dram 60 grains Dram
Ounce 8 drams or 30 mL ounce
Pound 12 ounces lb

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 The Metric, Household and
Apothecary Systems (cont…)
The Household Measurements are calculated by using containers easily found
in the home. Because containers in the home differ in design, size and
capacity, it is impossible to establish a standard unit of measure.
Unit Volume Abbreviation Metric Equivalent
Drop - gtt -
Teaspoon 100 drops tsp 5 mL
Tablespoon 3 tsp tbsp 15 mL
Ounce 2 tbsp oz 30 mL
Tea cup 6 ounces c 180 mL
Measuring cup 8 ounces C 240 mL
Pint 16 ounces pt 500 mL
Quart 2 pt qt 1000 mL
Gallon 4 qt gal
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 Conversions
1) 1 liter (L) = 1000 mL (milliters)
2) 1 gram (gm) = 1000 mgs (milligrams)
3) 1 mg (milligrams) = 1000 mcgs (micrograms)
4) 1 gram (gm) = 15 grain (gr)
5) 1 grain (gr) = 60 mg (milligrams)
6) 1 dram (dr) = 4 mL
7) 1 ounce (oz) = 30 mL
8) 1 tsp (teaspoon) = 5 mL
9) 1 tbsp (tablespoon) = 15 mL
10) 1 kg = 2.2 lbs (pounds)
11) 1 inch = 2.54 cm (centimeters)
12) 16 ounces (ozs) = 1 lb
13) 1 cup = 8 ounces (ozs)
14) 1 mL (milliliter) = 15 minims

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 Methods

• There are three basic methods for calculating

medication dosages. These are:
Dimensional Analysis
Ratio-Proportion
Basic Formula
• Each method will allow an accurate calculation of the
medication dosage. Most health care professionals
become comfortable with one method and use that
method exclusively. It is primarily an individual
decision. Let’s review the steps for each method.

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 Dimensional Analysis Method
The dimensional analysis method calculates dosages using three
factors:
1. Drug label factor:
the form of the drug dose (Q) and the supplied units (H),
2. Conversion factor (C): measurement equivalents,
3. Drug order factor: the desired dose (D).
These three factors are set up in an equation which allows for
cross multiplying to solve the problem:
𝐷 𝑄 𝐶 𝐻
× × = 𝑎𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑑𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟
1 𝐻 𝐶 𝐷
As you see, this formula incorporates the conversion of different
units of measurement and also includes the factors noted in the
basic formula. Because of this, many nurses prefer using this
formula.
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 Example 1.1

Supply: Erythromycin 250 mg per tablet

Order: Erythromycin 0.5 gm PO q8h
Now solve the problem:

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 Ratio – Proportion Method
• A ratio shows the relationship between numbers; a
proportion contains two ratios. You are usually
calculating for the quantity of supplied medication that
is equal to the prescribed dosage.
• This formula does not include the conversion of
differing units of measurement so those conversions
must be made before plugging numbers into the
formula.
• The formula is:
Dose on hand Dose desired

Quantity on hand X (quantity desired)
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 Example 1.2
• Desired dose (ordered dose): 750 mg
• Dose on Hand: 500 mg/3 ml
• Now solve the problem which is how many ml for 750mg.
Make sure that the units of measure are written in the
same order on both sides of the equation.

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 Example 1.3
• Doctor’s Order: 400 mg
• Dose on Hand: 100 mg/2 ml
• Now solve the problem!

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 Basic Formula Method
• This simple formula is often used and is easy to
remember. This formula does not include the
conversion of differing units of measurement so those
conversions must be made before plugging numbers
into the formula.
• The basic formula is:
D
 Q  amount to give
H
where D = desired dose (the dose ordered)
H = dose on hand
Q = quantity; drug form (tablet, mL)
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 Example 1.4

• Ordered dose: Erythromycin 500 mg PO q8h.

• Dose on hand: Erythromycin 250 mg
• Vehicle/Quantity: 1 tablet
Solution:

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 Example 1.5
• The order for the medication reads:
Amoxicillin 0.5 gm PO q6h. The supplied medication is Amoxicillin
250 mg per tablet. How much medication would you give?

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 Dosage based on Weight

• Given the weight of a patient and a dosage specified in

terms of weight, calculate the necessary dosage.
• Formula:

Weight in Kg  Dosage Per Kg  Required dosage

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 Example 1.6
1) A doctor orders 200mg of Rocephin to be taken by a 15.4 lb
infant every 8 hours. The medication label shows that 75-150
mg/kg per day is the appropriate dosage range. Is this
doctor’s order within the desired range?

2) Solumedrol 1.5mg/kg is ordered for a child weighing 74.8 lb.

Solumedrol is available as 125 mg/ 2ml. How many ml must
the nurse administer?

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Solution for Q1

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Solution for Q2

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 Dosages based on Body Surface Area
• Many pediatric dosages as well for oncologic dosages
the calculation of medication is based on the patient
body surface area.
• To find out the body surface area, we use the formula:
W H
A
3600
Where A = patient’s body surface area (m2)
W = patient’s weight in (kg)
H = patient’s height (cm)
3600 – is a conversion/correction factor kg 
m 
3

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 Dosages based on Body Surface Area
• If the weight is expressed in pounds (lbs) and the height
inches (in)
W H
A
3131
• To calculate a child’s medication use the formula:

child body surface area

 adult dose
1.73

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 Example 1.7
• The physician prescribed Benadryl 150mg/m2/day for
an 8-year old child who weights 75 pounds and is 4
feet 2 inches tall. The normal adult dose is 25 mg q.i.d.
How many mg of Benadryl will be administered four
times a day for the child?

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Question and Answer Session

Q&A

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 Next Session

Polynomial and Rational Functions

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