Dosage Calculations for Safe Nursing Practice Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental nursing measurement conversions, dosage calculation formulas, reconstitution principles, IV rate equations, and medication label details.

Desired over Have Formula

A basic medication dosage calculation formula defined as $\text{Amount to Administer} = \frac{\text{Desired Dose}}{\text{Dose on Hand}} \times \text{Quantity}$

Weight Conversions (Metric & Household)

Standard weight equivalencies used in dosage calculations: $1\,\text{kg} = 2.2\,\text{lb}$, $1\,\text{kg} = 1000\,\text{g}$, $1\,\text{g} = 1000\,\text{mg}$, and $1\,\text{mg} = 1000\,\text{mcg}$

Volume Conversions (Metric & Household)

Standard liquid volume equivalencies used in dosage calculations: $1\,\text{L} = 1000\,\text{mL}$, $1\,\text{mL} = 1\,\text{cc}$, $1\,\text{oz} = 30\,\text{mL}$, $1\,\text{cup} = 240\,\text{mL} = 8\,\text{oz}$, and $1\,\text{L} = 32\,\text{oz}$

Household-to-Metric Conversions

Household volume units converted to metric measure: $1\,\text{tsp} = 5\,\text{mL}$ and $1\,\text{Tbsp} = 15\,\text{mL} = 3\,\text{tsp}$

Reconstitution

The process of combining a liquid diluent with a dry powdered medication to create a liquid solution suitable for administration.

Reconstitution Vial Labeling

Required documentation written on a reconstituted medication vial, which includes the date, time, reconstituted final concentration, and the nurse's initials.

IV Pump Rate Formula

Equation used to calculate the flow rate setting for an electronic infusion pump: $\text{Rate (mL/hr)} = \frac{\text{Total Volume (mL)}}{\text{Time (hr)}}$

Manual Drip Rate Formula

Equation used to calculate the gravity infusion flow rate without an electronic pump: $\text{Flow Rate (gtts/min)} = \frac{\text{Total Volume (mL)} \times \text{Drop Factor (gtts/mL)}}{\text{Time (min)}}$

Drop Factor

The calibration specification of manual IV tubing indicating the number of drops required to deliver $1\,\text{mL}$ of fluid, commonly $10$, $15$, or $20\,\text{gtts/mL}$.

Digoxin Injection, USP Label

Injectable medication label specifying a concentration strength of $500\,\text{mcg}/2\,\text{mL}$ or $0.5\,\text{mg}/2\,\text{mL}$, which equals $250\,\text{mcg/mL}$.

Pfizerpen Bulk Pharmacy Package

Buffered penicillin G potassium for injection supplied as $20\,\text{Million Units}$ of powder for intravenous infusion only.

5% Dextrose in Lactated Ringer's Injection

A hypertonic IV solution containing $5\,\text{g}$ hydrous dextrose per $100\,\text{mL}$ with electrolyte additives and a calculated osmolarity of $530\,\text{mOsmol/L}$.

Acetaminophen 325 mg Label

An aspirin-free pain reliever and fever reducer formulated as tablets containing $325\,\text{mg}$ of active ingredient per tablet.

Adult Non-Vented Secondary Medication Solution Set

A secondary IV administration set equipped with an $18\,\text{Gauge}$ needle, hanger, and a calibration drop factor of $20\,\text{drops/mL}$.