Basics
1L = 1000 mL
1g = 1000 mg
1 mg = 1000 mcg
1 oz = 30 mL
1 tsp = 5 mL
1 kg = 2.2 lbs
60 mg = 1 grain (3/4 gr = 45 mg; 1/2 gr = 30 mg; 1/4 gr = 15 mg)
smaller to larger unit = divide
larger to smaller unit = multiply
Pediatric Dosage Calculation
1) convert lb to kg
2) determine safe range (Harriet Lane Handbook)
3) calculate dose needed4
4) decide whether ordered dose is safe
5) contact provider if dose unsafe, or questionable
No more than 1 cc injected per dose due to small muscle mass (often re
Parenteral Medication
dose ordered/dose available x solution = amount administered
Multiple Drugs in One Solution
1) calculate dose for each
2) add each dose together x solution = amount administered
Insulin Injection
1) cleanse tops of both vials with alcohol wipe
2) inject air equal to the amount being withdrawn into the vial of cloudy insulin first; when the air is injected, the tip of the needle should not touch the solution
3) remove the needle from the vial of cl
Reconstituting Solutions
dose ordered/dose available x solution = amount administered
Example A: Order - 2/3 strength Sustacal 300 mL po qid
300 x 4 (qid) = 1200 mL per day; 2/3 x 1200 = 2400/3 = 800; 1200 mL - 800 mL= 400 mL to be administered each dose
Example B: Order - 3/4 st
Type of Insulin
FAST ACTING/RAPID ACTING -
Humulin R
Humalog
NovoLog
Apidra
Novolin R
INTERMEDIATE ACTING -
Novolin N
Humulin N
LONG ACTING -
Lantus
Levemir
Insulin Syringes
Lo-Dose = 30 units
Lo-Dose = 50 units
Single Scale = 100 units
Double Scale = 100 units
Common IV Solutions
NS = sodium chloride 0.9% (NaCl)
1/2 NS = sodium chloride 0.45% (NaCl) (500 mL)
D5W or 5% D/W = dextrose in water (1000 mL)
D5RL = dextrose 5% and lactated ringer (ringer lactate)
RL or RLS = lactated ringer solution (electrolytes) (1000 mL)
D5NS = dextro
IV Solution Problems
USE RATIO METHOD TO DETERMINE AMOUNT IN SOLUTION ... CONVERT SOLUTION WHEN NEEDED!!!!
ADD VOLUME AMOUNTS TOGETHER ONLY IF ACTUAL HOUR INDICATED (i.e., 18 hours)
Order - 0.5 L D5 1/4 NS
dextrose = 5 g/100 mL:xg/500 mL = 2500/100 = 25 g
NaCl = 225 mg/100 mL
Intravenous Calculations
If infusion less than 1 HOUR, use RATIO FORMULA
Microdrop = 60 gtt = 1 mL
Macrodrop = 10, 15, or 20 gtt = 1 mL
Example: Client receiving 100 mL/hr is actually receiving 100 microdrops or macrodrops/minute
IV FLOW RATE = amt ordered x drop rate/time