Math in Healthcare

Celsius to Farenheit

F = C x 9/5 + 32

Farenheit to Celsius

C = (F-32) x 5/9

Converting Military Time

0000 - 1159 hours—> same as AM time (0545 = 5:45 am)

1200 - 2359—→ Subtract 12 for PM time (1430 = 2:30 pm)

0700 hours

7:00 am

1345 hours

1:45 PM

1900 hours

7:00 PM

1 inch

2.54 cm

1 kg

2.2 pounds

1 fl oz

29.57 ml

1 teaspoon

5 ml

Desired dose/ Available dose —>

number of units needed

Need 0.5 mg, have 0.25 mg

0.5 divided 0.25—> 2 tablets

need 500 mg, have 250

500/250—> 3 capsules

You cannot split..

capsules

Patient needs 50 mg, you have 25mg tablets:

50/25—> 2 tablets

Some tablets can be split if

they have a score line

Doctor orders 150 mg of medication and you have 75 mg tablets

150/75—> 2 tablets

Patient needs 12.5 ml of cough syrup. How many teaspons in this?

12.5/5—> 2.5 teaspoons