Chapter III:

Lesson 2: Performing
Calculations
 Learning Outcome

Performs calculations in administering medicine to the patient.

Introduction
In this lesson you are expected to learn how to perform calculations
related to administering medicine to patients. You cannot afford to
commit mistake here for that could mean life or death to a patient.
 Performing Calculations

It is not enough that a caregiver identifies all tools and materials in

caregiving. He/She also has to learn how to administer medicines to the
patient. It is very important that the right amount of medicine is given to
the patient. This a great factor for the speedy recovery of the sick.
The manner and system of measurement bare part of our daily
activities at home or in school. In organizing our tasks, preparing our
meals, we need to perform calculations to ensure that we do not put our
lives at stake
In administering the medicine, there are three measurements systems that
are used in pharmacology: the household measurements systems, the
metric system and the apothecary system.
• For patients who are only at home and not in hospital, the household
measurement system is usually used. Teaspoons, drops, ounces, cups,
pints, quart, gallons, and pounds ate included as measurements used
under the household measurement system.
• The apothecary measurement system has weight measurements like
dram, ounce, grain (gr), scruple, and pound. The volume units of
measurement in the apothecary measurement system are a fluid ounce, a
pint, a minim, a fluid dram, a quart and a gallon.
Unit of Approximate Approximate
measurement Equivalent(s) Unit of Measurement Equivalent(s)

1 teaspoon=60 drops 1 cup = 8 ounces

1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon= 5ml
1 tablespoon= 3
1 tablespoon teaspoons
1 tablespoon= 15 ml
1 fluid ounce = 2
1 fluid ounce tablespoons
1 fluid ounce = 30 ml
16 ounces= 1 pound
1 ounce (weight) 1 ounce = 30 g
1 cup 1 cup = 16 tablespoon
1 cup = 240 ml
1 pint = 2 cups
1 pint 1 pint = 480 ml
1 quart = 2 pint’s
1 quart 1 quart = 4 cups
1 gallon= 4 quart’s
1 gallon 1 gallon = 8 pints
1 gallon = 3,785 ml
1 pound = 16 ounces
1 pound 1 pound = 480 grams
 Calculating pediatric dosages for oral drugs
Always follow the physicians order drug labels, the methods of converting quantities from one unit of
measurement to another. If not sure about the tasks, always ask the assistance from somebody who may be senior
to you. In dealing with pediatric patient, bear in mind that children are completely different from adults. An
accurate dosage may harm the child.

Administering pediatric oral drugs

Tablets and capsules are hard to take by infants and young children, thus they are given liquid medicine. In some
cases where liquid medicines are not available, tablets may be crushed and mix with just a little water. If it is mixed
in large amount of water, the child may not be able to finish the liquid and therefore the entire dosage is not taken.
Tools used in giving out pediatric oral drugs
Cup…………………. advisable for children
Dropper …………….. used for infant
Syringe……………….. used for infant
Spoon with hollow handle ………. used for toddlers
Methods to calculate pediatric doses

• Body Surface Area (BSA) Method – this is also called the dosage per kilogram body of weight
method. Physicians usually use this because this is most accurate and safest method in calculating
pediatric dose.
• Clark’s Rule – this method uses weight of the child in calculating approximate dosage.
• Young’s Rule – this is applicable to children who are two years of age and above.
• Fried’s Rule – this is used to calculate doses for children who are two years and below.

Important reminders in calculating doses:

• it is necessary to use calculator in solving equations.
• verify from a drug handbook if in doubt, or call a pharmacist.
• always keep a record of the patient’s weight in kilogram. This will keep you from weighing the patient
all the time.

Occupational health and safety is the campaign and maintenance of the well-being of workers
in every occupation. This is to provide a safe working environment to achieve in injury-free
workplace and a healthy atmosphere that protect every worker against illness. These healthy
and safety practices, in effect, may also protect co-workers, family members, clients, and other
members of the community who are affected by the workplace environment.