Part 2: Medication Dosages Review

Solving Dosage Calculation Problems

*In order to solve problems, as long as the answer is correct, the method of choice is not
important.
 The Formula Method has the disadvantages that it can only be used for one step simple
calculations, and that is another formula more to be remembered.
 The Ratio and Proportion Method, in its two variants (Cross-multiplying or with Colons),
can be used for any kind of multiple-step dosage calculation, even to convert between
different metric units instead of moving the decimal point thus avoiding errors.
 When compared with the Ratio and Proportion method using colons, the cross-
multiplying method allows easier detection of mistakes, given the fact that the same units
should be in the numerator and the same units should be in the denominator.

The Formula Method versus Ratio and Proportion (using

Cross-multiplying or Colons)

Ex: Ordered: 300mg of a drug. The drug availability is 500 mg/10 mL. How many mL
should be given?

Using Ratio and Proportion Using the Formula Method

Cross Multiplying:
300mg = 500mg 300mg x 10mL = X mL
XmL 10mL 500mg

X = 300 x 10 6 mL = X
500
X = 6mL

Using Colons:

300mg:XmL::500mg:10mL

300 x 10 = X x 500

X = 300 x 10

500

X = 6mL
 Reading Medication Labels
Ex. Drug Available:

Administer 250 mg. How many ml will you give?

Drug Available: 100 mg/ml (see label)

D/H x V = 250/100 x 1 ml = 2.5 ml

Calculations Based on Body Weight Dosage

Ex: Order: Tegopen 50 mg/kg/day PO q 6 h. Available: 125 mg/5 ml. Patient’s weight: 12
kg

Based on the above, how many mL should the patient receive per dose? (note that the above
order is based on the total amount of drug that the patient has to receive per day, but the
calculation needs to be done based on the total amount of drug per dose).
Reminder: 2.2 lb = 1 kg

To solve it: 50 mg/day = X mg day X= 50 x 12 X= 600 mg/day

1 kg 12 kg 1

then: q 6 h = 4 doses a day 600 mg = X mg X= 600 x 1

4 doses 1 dose 4

X = 150 mg (this is how many mg per dose should a 12 kg patient receive)

then: 150 mg = 125 mg X= 150 x 5

X mL 5 mL 125

X = 6 mL (this is how many mL per dose should a 12 kg patient receive)