MEDICATION AND

INTRAVENOUS CALCULATIONS
 PYRAMID POINTS

• Always use the appropriate formula to calculate

the problem
• Short cuts should not be used when calculating
medication problems
• Label the problem and the answer with the
correct measurement
 PYRAMID POINTS

• Place the decimal point in the correct places or

the answer will be incorrect
• Seek assistance if unsure of the accuracy in
calculating
• Check the accuracy of the calculation
• Be sure that the answer is within reason and
makes sense
 MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION
GUIDELINES

• Assess medication order

• Ask the client about a history of allergies

• Assess client's current condition and the purpose

for the medication or intravenous solution
• Determine the client's understanding of the
purpose of the prescribed medication or need for
IV solution
 MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION
GUIDELINES

• Teach the client about the medication and about

self-administration at home
• Identify and address concerns (social, cultural,
religious) that the client may have about taking
the medication
• Assess the need for conversion when preparing a
dose of medication for administration to the
client
 MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION
GUIDELINES

• ASSESS THE FIVE RIGHTS

– Right medication
– Right dose
– Right client
– Right time
– Right route
THE FIVE RIGHTS OF MEDICATION
ADMINISTRATION

From: Leahy, J. & Kizilay, P. (1998). Foundations of nursing practice:

A nursing process approach. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.
 MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION
GUIDELINES

• Assess vital signs prior to administering

medication
• Document the administration of the prescribed
therapy and client's response to the therapy
 DRUG MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS

• METRIC SYSTEM
– The basic units of metric measures are meter,
liter, and gram
– Meter measures length
– Liter measures volume
– Gram measures weight
 DRUG MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS

• APOTHECARY SYSTEM
– The four apothecary measures sometimes
used are the grain, minim, dram, and ounce
– Grain measures weight
– Minim, dram, and ounce measures volume
 DRUG MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS

• HOUSEHOLD SYSTEM
– The three household measures commonly
used are tablespoon, teaspoon, and drop
 DRUG MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS

• MILLIEQUIVALENT
– Abbreviated mEq
– Is an expression of the number of grams of a
medication contained in 1 ml of a normal
solution
– Example: potassium chloride
 DRUG MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS

• UNIT
– Abbreviated as U or u; measures a medication
in terms of its action, not its physical weight
– Examples: penicillin, heparin sodium, insulin
 CONVERSION BETWEEN METRIC UNITS

• The metric system is a decimal system; therefore,

conversions between the units in this system can
be done by either dividing or multiplying by 1000
or by moving the decimal point three places to
the right or three places to the left

• To convert larger to smaller multiply by 1000 or

move the decimal 3 places to the right
• To convert smaller to larger divide by 1000 or
move the decimal 3 places to the left
 CONVERSION BETWEEN METRIC UNITS

• PROBLEM
– Convert 2 grams to milligrams
• SOLUTION
– Change a larger unit to a smaller unit
– Move the decimal 3 places to right
– 2.000 grams = 2000 mg
 CONVERSION BETWEEN METRIC UNITS

• PROBLEM
– Convert 250 ml to liters
• SOLUTION
– Change a smaller unit to a larger unit
– Move the decimal 3 places to left
– 250 ml = 0.250 L or 0.25 L
 CONVERSION BETWEEN METRIC,
APOTHECARY, AND HOUSEHOLD SYSTEMS

• Conversions between the metric, apothecary, and

household systems are equivalent, not equal,
measures
• Conversion to equivalent measures between
systems is necessary when a medication order is
written in one system but the medication label is
stated in another
• Medications are not always ordered and prepared
in the same system of measurement; it is
therefore necessary to convert units from one
system to another
CONVERSION AMONG METRIC, APOTHECARY,
AND HOUSEHOLD SYSTEMS

• Conversion is the first step in the calculation of

dosages
• Calculating equivalents between two systems
may be done using the method of ratio and
proportion
 RATIO AND PROPORTION

• PROBLEM
– The physician orders nitroglycerin, gr 1/150.
The medication label reads 0.4 mg per tablet.
The nurse prepares to administer how many
tablets to the client?
• SOLUTION
– gr 1 : 60 mg = gr 1/150 : x mg
– 60 mg x gr 1/150 = x
– X = 0.4 mg (1 tablet)
 CELSIUS AND FAHRENHEIT TEMPERATURE

• FAHRENHEIT TO CELSIUS
– To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius, subtract 32
and divide result by 1.8
• FORMULA
– C = ( F – 32 ) / 1.8
 CELSIUS AND FAHRENHEIT TEMPERATURE

• CELSIUS TO FAHRENHEIT
– To convert Celsius to Fahrenheit, multiply by
1.8 and add 32
• FORMULA
– F = 1.8 C + 32
 MEDICATION LABELS

• A medication label will contain both the generic

and trade name of the medication
• The trade name, also called brand name, is
printed on the label in capital letters or with the
first letter capitalized
• The generic name is the chemical name of a
medication; the generic name may not be
capitalized and is usually located below the trade
name on a medication label
 MEDICATION LABELS

• Each medication has only one official name but

may have several trade names, each for the
exclusive use of the company that manufactures
the medication
• Always check expiration dates on medication
labels
 MEDICATION LABEL

From: Kee, J. & Marshall, S. (2000). Clinical calculations (4 th ed.) Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.
 MEDICATION ORDERS

• In a medication order, the name of the medication

is written first, followed by the dosage, route, and
frequency
• If there are any questions or inconsistencies with
the written order, the person who wrote the order
must be contacted immediately, and the order
must be verified
 MEDICATION ORDERS

• COMPONENTS
– Name of client
– Date and time when order is written
– Name of medication to be given
– Dosage of medication
– Medication route
– Time and frequency of administration
– Signature of person writing the order
 ORAL MEDICATIONS

• Scored tablets contain an indented mark to make

possible breakage for partial dosages; when
necessary, scored tablets (those marked for
division) can be divided in halves or quarters
• Enteric-coated tablets and sustained-released
capsules delay absorption until the medication
reaches the small intestine; these medications
should not be crushed
 ORAL MEDICATIONS

• Capsules contain a powered or oily medication in

a gelatin cover
• Oral liquids are supplied in solution form and
contain a specific amount of medication in a
given amount of solution, as stated on the label
• Volumes of less than 5 ml are measured using a
syringe with the needle removed
• A calibrated dropper is used when giving
medicine to children and when adding small
amounts of liquid to water or juice; calibrations
are in milliliters, cubic centimeters, drops, or
minims
 ORAL MEDICATIONS

• THE MEDICINE CUP

– Has a capacity of 30 ml or 1 ounce
– Is used for oral liquids
– Is calibrated to measure teaspoons,
tablespoons, and drams
– To pour accurately, hold the medication cup at
eye level, then line up the measure that is
needed and pour
 THE MEDICINE CUP

From: Leahy, J. & Kizilay, P. (1998). Foundations of nursing practice:

A nursing process approach. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.
 PARENTERAL MEDICATIONS

• Parenteral always means injection route, and

parenteral medications are administered by
intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), or
subcutaneous (SC) routes
• Parenteral medications are packaged in single-
use ampules, single- and multiple-use rubber
stoppered vials, and in prefilled syringes and
cartridges
 MEDICATION VIAL AND AMPULE

From: Kee, J. & Marshall, S. (2000). Clinical calculations (4 th ed.) Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.
 PRE-FILLED SYRINGES

From: Kee, J. & Marshall, S. (2000). Clinical calculations (4 th ed.) Philadelphia:

W.B. Saunders. Courtesy of Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, Philadelphia, PA.
 PARENTERAL MEDICATIONS

• The nurse should not administer more than 3 ml

per IM or SC injection site, as volumes larger than
3 ml are difficult for a single injection site to
absorb
• Always question excessively large or small
volumes of medication
 PARENTERAL MEDICATIONS

• The standard 3 ml (cc) syringe is used to

measure most injectable medications; it is
calibrated in tenths (0.1) of a milliliter
• The calibrations on a syringe are read from the
top black ring on the syringe, not the raised
middle section and not the bottom ring
 STANDARD THREE MILLILITER SYRINGE

From: Kee, J. & Marshall, S. (2000). Clinical calculations (4 th ed.) Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.
 PREFILLED MEDICATION CARTRIDGE
AND CARTRIDGE HOLDER

• Tubex and Carpuject are trade names of two

widely used, reusable, metal or plastic cartridge
holders
• The medication cartridge slips into the cartridge
holder, which provides a plunger for injection of
the medication
• The medication cartridge is prefilled with sterile
medication and is labeled with the medication
name and dosage
 PREFILLED MEDICATION CARTRIDGE
AND CARTRIDGE HOLDER

• The medication cartridge is routinely overfilled

with 0.1 to 0.2 ml of medication to allow for
manipulation of the holder to expel air from the
needle prior to injection
• The medication cartridge is designed to provide
sufficient capacity to allow for the addition of a
second medication when combined dosages are
prescribed
 PREFILLED MEDICATION CARTRIDGE
AND CARTRIDGE HOLDER

• The prefilled medication cartridge is to be used

once and discarded; if the nurse is to give less
than a full single dose provided, the nurse needs
to discard the extra amount before injecting the
client following agency policies and procedures
PREFILLED MEDICATION CARTRIDGE AND
CARTRIDGE HOLDER

From: Leahy, J. & Kizilay, P. (1998). Foundations of nursing practice:

A nursing process approach. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.
 PARENTERAL MEDICATIONS

• Standard medication doses for adults are to be

rounded to the nearest tenth (0.1) of a milliliter or
cc and measured on the ml scale; for example,
1.25 ml is rounded to 1.3 ml
• When volumes larger than 3 ml are required, a 5-,
6-, 10-, or 12-ml syringe may be used; these
syringes are calibrated in fifths
• Syringes larger than 12 ml are calibrated in full ml
measures
 FIVE MILLILITER SYRINGE

From: Kee, J. & Marshall, S. (2000). Clinical calculations (4 th ed.) Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.
 TUBERCULIN SYRINGE

• Holds a total capacity of 1 ml or cc and is used to

measure small or critical amounts of medication
such as allergen extract, vaccine, or a child's
medication
• It is calibrated in hundredths (0.01) of a milliliter,
with each tenth (0.1) marked on the metric scale
 TUBERCULIN SYRINGE

From: Kee, J. & Marshall, S. (2000). Clinical calculations (4 th ed.) Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.
 INSULIN SYRINGE

• The standard U-100 insulin syringe is used to

measure U-100 insulin only; it is calibrated for a
total of 100 units, or 1 ml (cc)
• Insulin should not be measured in any other type
of syringe
• When the insulin order states to combine Regular
and NPH insulin, remember "R.N." and draw
"R"egular insulin first, and then draw the "N"PH
insulin
 INSULIN SYRINGE

From: Kee, J. & Marshall, S. (2000). Clinical calculations (4 th ed.) Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.
INJECTABLE MEDICATIONS IN POWDER FORM

• Some medications become unstable when stored

in solution form and are therefore packaged in
powder form
• Powders must be dissolved with a sterile diluent
before use; usually sterile water or normal saline
is used
• The dissolving procedure is called reconstitution
 CALCULATING THE CORRECT DOSAGE

• When calculating oral medications, check the

calculation and question an order if the
calculation is for more than three tablets
• When calculating parenteral medications, check
the calculation and question an order if the
amount to be given is too large of a dose
• Regardless of the source of the error, if the nurse
gives an incorrect dose, the nurse is legally
responsible for the action
 CALCULATING THE CORRECT DOSAGE

• Be sure that all measures are in the same system,

and all units are in the same size, converting
when necessary; carefully consider the amount
of medication that would be reasonable to
administer
• Round standard injection doses to tenths and
measure in a 3 ml syringe
• Round small, critical, or children's doses to
hundredths and measure in the 1 ml tuberculin
syringe
 FORMULA FOR CALCULATING
A MEDICATION DOSAGE

D (Desired) x Q (Quantity) = X
A (Available)

• D (Desired) = The dosage that the physician

ordered
• A (Available) = The dosage strength as stated on
the medication label
• Q (Quantity) = The volume that the dosage
strength is available in, such as tablets, capsules,
or ml
 CALCULATING DOSAGES EXPRESSED AS
RATIO OR PERCENT

• PERCENTAGE SOLUTIONS
– Express the number of grams of the
medication per 100 ml of solution
– Example: Calcium gluconate 10% = 10 g of
pure medication per 100 ml of solution
• RATIO SOLUTIONS
– Express the number of grams of the
medication per total milliliters of solution
– Example: Epinephrine 1:1000 = 1 g pure
medication per 1000 ml solution
 INTRAVENOUS FLOW RATES

• Monitor IVs every 30 minutes for adults and every

15 minutes for children
• If the IV is running behind schedule, collaborate
with the physician to determine the client's ability
to tolerate an increased flow rate, particularly
those clients with cardiac, pulmonary, renal, and
neurological conditions
• The nurse should never arbitrarily speed up an IV
to catch up if the IV is running behind schedule
 INTRAVENOUS FLOW RATES

• Whenever an IV rate is increased, the nurse

should assess the client for increased heart rate,
increased respirations, or increased lung
congestion, which could indicate fluid overload
• IV fluids are most frequently ordered on the basis
of milliliters (ml) per hour to be administered
• The volume per hour ordered is administered by
adjusting the rate at which the IV infuses, which
is counted in drops (gtt) per minute
• Most flow rate calculations involve changing
milliliters per hour into drops per minute
 FORMULAS FOR INTRAVENOUS
CALCULATIONS

• FLOW RATES
Total volume x gtt factor = gtt per min
Time in minutes

• INFUSION TIME
Total volume to infused = Infusion time
ml per hour being infused
 IV TUBING

• Calibrated in gtts per milliliters, and this

calibration is needed for calculating flow rates
• A standard or macrodrip set is used for routine
adult IV administrations; depending on the
manufacturer and type of tubing, it will require 10,
15, or 20 gtts to equal 1 ml
• The calibration, in gtts per ml, is written on the IV
tubing package
 IV TUBING

• A mini- or microdrip set is used when more exact

measurements are needed, such as in intensive
care units and in pediatric units
• In a mini- or microdrip set, 60 gtts is equal to 1 ml
MACRODRIP AND MICRODRIP IV TUBING

From: Kee, J. & Marshall, S. (2000). Clinical calculations (4 th ed.) Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.
 ELECTRONIC IV FLOW RATE REGULATORS

• CONTROLLER
– Works on the same principle of gravity as a
regular IV drip, with the rate of flow being
maintained by rapid compression and
decompression of the IV tubing by the
machine
– The desired flow rate is set on the controller in
milliliters per hr
– Because controllers work by gravity, the
height of the solution bag is critical and must
be maintained at a minimum of 36 inches
above the controller
 ELECTRONIC IV FLOW RATE REGULATORS
• PUMP
– A pump is different from a controller in that it
physically pumps fluids against resistance
– Gravity is not a factor in the use of a pump, and the
height of the IV solution container is not a critical
factor
– The flow rate on a pump is set in milliliters per hour
– The nurse should continue to assess the amount of
IV solution in the IV container and monitor the
pump or controller to assure proper functioning of
the machine
 INFUSION PUMPS

From: Kee, J. & Marshall, S. (2000). Clinical calculations (4 th ed.) Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders. A
courtesy of IMED Corporation, San Diego, CA; B and D, courtesy of Baxter Healthcare Corporation,
Round Lake, IL; C, from Bowden, V, Dickey S, Greenberg C (1998). Children and their Families: The
Continuum of Care. Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders.
 INFUSIONS ORDERED BY UNIT
DOSAGE PER HOUR

• The most common medications that will be

ordered by unit dosage per hour and to run by
continuous infusion are heparin sodium and
Regular insulin
• Calculation of these problems requires a two-step
process
– Determine the amount of medication per 1 ml
– Determine the infusion rate or milliliters per
hour
 PEDIATRICS: ORAL MEDICATIONS

• Most oral pediatric medications are in liquid or

suspension form since children usually are not
able to swallow a tablet
• Solutions may be measured using an oral
syringe, a small plastic cup, an oral dropper, or a
measuring spoon
 CALIBRATED MEASURING DEVICES

From: Kee, J. & Marshall, S. (2000). Clinical calculations (4 th ed.) Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.
 PEDIATRICS: ORAL MEDICATIONS

• Medications in suspension settle to the bottom of

the bottle between uses and thorough mixing is
required prior to pouring the medication
• Suspensions must be administered immediately
after measurement to prevent settling and
administering an incomplete dose
• Administer oral medications with the child sitting
in an upright position with the head elevated to
prevent aspiration if the child cries or resists
 PEDIATRICS: ORAL MEDICATIONS

• Never pinch the infant’s or child’s nostrils when

administering medication
• Do not place medication in a baby’s bottle
• Draw the required dose of an unpleasant
medication into a small syringe and place the
syringe into the side and towards the back of the
infant’s mouth; administer the medication slowly,
allowing the infant to swallow
 PEDIATRICS: ORAL MEDICATIONS

• Place the small child sideways on the lap; the

child’s closest arm should be placed under the
adult’s arm and behind the adult’s back; cradle
the child’s head and hold the child’s hand and
administer the medication slowly with a plastic
spoon or small plastic cup
• Mix liquid medications with less than an ounce of
fluid to disguise the taste if necessary
 PEDIATRICS: ORAL MEDICATIONS

• Check the child’s mouth if a tablet or capsule has

been administered to assure that it has been
swallowed; if swallowing is a problem, some
tablets can be crushed and given in small
amounts of puréed food or flavored syrup
(enteric-coated, timed-release tablets, or
capsules cannot be crushed)
 PEDIATRICS: SUBCUTANEOUS (SC) AND
INTRAMUSCULAR (IM) MEDICATIONS

• Medications most often given via the SC route are

insulin and most immunizations
• Any site with sufficient subcutaneous tissue may
be used for SC injections; common sites include
the central third of the lateral aspect of the upper
arm, the abdomen, and the center third of the
anterior thigh
• The safe use of all injection sites is based on
normal muscle development and the size of the
child; the preferred site for IM injections in
infants is the vastus lateralis
 INJECTION SITES

From: Harkreader, H. (2000). Fundamentals of nursing: Caring and

clinical judgment. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.
 PEDIATRICS: SUBCUTANEOUS (SC) AND
INTRAMUSCULAR (IM) MEDICATIONS

• Usually not more than 0.5 ml (infant) to 2.0 ml

(child) is injected per IM or SC site and the site of
injection is rotated if frequent injections are
necessary
• The usual needle length and gauge for pediatric
clients is 1/2 to 1 inch long and 22- to 25-gauge
• Needle length can also be estimated by grasping
the muscle for injection between the thumb and
forefinger; half the distance would be the needle
length
 PEDIATRICS: SUBCUTANEOUS (SC) AND
INTRAMUSCULAR (IM) MEDICATIONS

• Pediatric dosages for SC and IM administration

are calculated to the nearest hundredth and
measured using a tuberculin (TB) syringe
• For the toddler and preschooler, place an
adhesive bandage or decorated bandage over the
puncture site
 PEDIATRICS: INTRAVENOUS (IV)
MEDICATIONS

• IV medications are diluted for administration

• When an infant or child is receiving an IV
medication, the IV site needs to be assessed for
signs of infiltration and inflammation immediately
before, during, and after completion of each
medication
• Signs of inflammation include redness, heat,
swelling, and tenderness
• Signs of infiltration include swelling, coolness,
pain, and lack of blood return
 PEDIATRICS: INTRAVENOUS (IV)
MEDICATIONS

• If inflammation or infiltration occurs, the IV is

discontinued and restarted at a new site
• IV medication may be administered on a
continuous basis by adding the medication to an
IV solution bag and infusing it through a primary
infusion line
• IV medications may be administered on an
intermittent basis, involving several dosages
within a 24-hour period
 PEDIATRICS: INTRAVENOUS (IV)
MEDICATIONS

• Medications for IV administration are diluted

according to the directions accompanying the
medication and according to physician’s orders
and agency procedures
• Infusion time for IV medications is determined
based on the directions accompanying the
medication, the physician’s orders, and agency
procedures
 PEDIATRICS: INTRAVENOUS (IV)
MEDICATIONS

• Determine agency procedures related to the

volume of flush for peripheral IV lines and for
central lines
• The flush volume (3–20 ml) must be included in
the child’s intake; the flush is started after the IV
medication is completed and is infused at the
same rate as the medication
 PEDIATRICS: INTERMITTENT IV
MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION

• Children receiving IV medications on an

intermittent basis may or may not have a primary
IV
• If a primary IV exists, the medication may be
administered by IV piggyback (IVPB) via a
secondary line
• If a primary line does not exist, an indwelling
infusion catheter is used for medication
administration
 PEDIATRICS: INTERMITTENT IV
MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION

• All intermittent medication administrations are

preceded and followed by a flush to assure that
the medication has cleared the IV tubing and that
the total dosage has been administered
• Electronic controllers and pumps are used to
regulate and administer IVs and intermittent IV
medications
 PEDIATRICS: SPECIAL IV
ADMINISTRATION SETS

• Special IV administration sets, referred to by their

trade names (Buretrol, Soluset, Volutrol), may be
used for medication preparation and
administration
• These special sets are all microdrip sets
calibrated to deliver 60 drops (gtt) per ml
• The total capacity of these special IV
administration sets is between 100 to 150 ml,
calibrated in 1 ml increments so that exact
measurements of small volumes is possible
 PEDIATRICS: SPECIAL IV
ADMINISTRATION SETS

• The medication is mixed with the appropriate

amount of diluent and added to the special IV
administration set, and the medication is allowed
to infuse at the prescribed rate
• Label the special IV administration set to identify
the medication and fluid dosage added
• Attach a label that states “medication infusing”
during the medication infusion time
• Attach a label that states “flush infusing” during
the flush infusion time
 PEDIATRICS: RETROGRADE IV INJECTION

• The medication is mixed with the appropriate

amount of diluent in a syringe
• The IV tubing is clamped close to the child, the
medication is injected through the port in the
direction of the burette, the tubing is unclamped,
the prescribed rate is set, and the medication is
allowed to infuse over the prescribed time
 PEDIATRICS: SYRINGE PUMP FOR IV
MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION

• A syringe containing the medication is fitted into

a pump that is connected to the IV tubing through
a Y-connector
• The medication is administered over the
prescribed time
 CALCULATION OF MEDICATION
DOSAGE BY BODY WEIGHT

• POUNDS (LB) TO KILOGRAMS (KG)

– 1 kg = 2.2 lb
– To convert from pounds to kilograms, divide
by 2.2
– Kilograms are expressed to the nearest tenth
• KILOGRAMS (KG) TO POUNDS (LB)
– 1 kg = 2.2 lb
– To convert from kilograms to pounds, multiply
by 2.2
– Pounds are expressed to the nearest tenth
 CALCULATION OF MEDICATION
DOSAGE BY BODY WEIGHT

• CALCULATING DAILY DOSAGES

– Dosages are expressed in terms of mg/kg/day,
mg/lb/day, or mg/kg/dose
– The total daily dosage is usually administered
in divided (more than one) doses per day
– Express the child’s body weight in kilograms
or pounds to correlate with the dosage
specifications
– Calculate the total daily dosage
– Divide the total daily dosage by the number of
doses to be administered in one day
 CALCULATION OF BODY
SURFACE AREA (BSA)

• The body surface area is determined by

comparing body weight and height with averages
or norms on a graph called a nomogram
• Not all children are the same size at the same
age; therefore, the nomogram chart is used to
determine the BSA of a child
 MEDICATION CALCULATION
BASED ON BSA

• When dosage recommendations for children

specify mg, mcg, or U per m2, calculating the
dosage is simple multiplication
• PROBLEM
– The dosage recommendation is 4 mg per m2.
The child has a BSA of 1.1 m2. What is the
dosage to be administered?
• SOLUTION
– 1.1 x 4 mg = 4.4 mg
 MEDICATION CALCULATION
BASED ON BSA

• When dosages are specified only for adults, a

formula is used to calculate a child’s dosage from
the adult dosage
• PROBLEM
– The physician has prescribed an antibiotic for
a child. The average adult dose is 250 mg.
The child has a BSA of 0.41 m2. What is the
dose for the child?
 MEDICATION CALCULATION
BASED ON BSA

• SOLUTION

BSA of Child (m2) x adult dose = child’s dose

1.73 m2

0.41 x 250 mg = 59.24 mg

1.73