MEDICINE COMPUTATION

D.R.LIM,RN,MAN,PAFR

How to calculate tablet dosages: Required Dose -----------------------Stock Dose = Number of tablets to be given

Units for required dose and stock dose must be the same.
D.R.LIM,RN.MAN,PAFR

Example 1:
A client is ordered 150mg of aspirin. 300 mg aspirin tablets are available. How many tablets would you give?
RD SD =Q

150 mg -----------------300 mg = 1/2 tablet

D.R.LIM,RN.MAN,PAFR

Example 2:
How many tablets containing 62.5 mcg will be required to give a dose of 0.125 mg?
STEP 1 : CONVERT TO SAME UNITS

Convert 0.125 mg to mcg. The decimal place is moved 3 places to the right. 0.125 mg = (0.125 * 1000 mcg) = 125 mcg
D.R.LIM,RN.MAN,PAFR

STEP 2: CALCULATE How many tablets containing 62.5 mcg will be required to give a dose of 0.125 mg?

RD SD =Q

125 mcg -----------------62.5 mcg = 2 tablets

D.R.LIM,RN.MAN,PAFR

OR

Convert 62.5 mcg to mg. The decimal place is moved 3 places to the left. 62.5 mcg = (62.5 * 0.001 mg) =0.0625 mg

D.R.LIM,RN.MAN,PAFR

STEP 2: CALCULATE How many tablets containing 62.5 mcg will be required to give a dose of 0.125 mg?

RD SD =Q

0.125 mg -----------------0.0625 mg = 2 tablets

D.R.LIM,RN.MAN,PAFR

1. A client is ordered 50 milligrams of Amitriptyline. 25 milligram tablets are available. How many tablets will you give? 50 milligrams ---------------------------25 milligrams = 2 tablets
D.R.LIM,RN.MAN,PAFR

3. A client is ordered 0.5 milligrams of Digoxin. 250 microgram tablets are available. How many tablets will you give? 500 mcg (=0.5mg) -----------------------250 mcg = 2 tablets
D.R.LIM,RN.MAN,PAFR

How to calculate fluid dosages:

:

Required Dose ---------------------Stock Dose

x Stock Volume

= Volume to be given Units for required dose and stock dose must be the same.

D.R.LIM,RN.MAN,PAFR

How to calculate fluid dosages:

:

1. A client is ordered 15mg of stemetil. You have 2ml of solution on hand which contains 25 mg Stemetil. What volume of solution would you give? 15 mg --------------- x 2ml 25 mg = 1.2 ml

D.R.LIM,RN.MAN,PAFR

How to calculate fluid dosages:

2. A dose of 75 mg of pethidine has been ordered. It is available in ampules containing 100 mg in 2 ml. What volume must be administered? 75 mg ------------- x 2ml 100 mg = 1.5 ml
D.R.LIM,RN.MAN,PAFR

How to calculate fluid dosages:

3. A: client is ordered 35 milligrams of Codeine phosphate by subcutaneous injection. 50 milligrams in 1 millilitre of liquid for SC Injection is available. How many millilitres will you administer? 35 x 1 50 = 0.7 ml
D.R.LIM,RN.MAN,PAFR

D.R.LIM,RN,MAN,PAFR
D.R.LIM,RN.MAN,PAFR