Dose Calculations (Lvl 1-2)

Conversions

1,000 milliunits = 1 unit

Weight

1,000 mcg = 1 mg

1,000 mg = 1 g

1,000 g = 1 kg

1 kg = 2.2 lbs

Volume

• ice chips always halved

1 cc = 1 mL

1,000 mL = 1 L

5 mL = 1 tsp

15 mL = 1 tbsp

30 mL = 1 oz

240 mL = 8 oz = 1 cup

Length

2.5 cm = 1 in

Formulas

V/H * D/T * CF/CF * …

• V: vehicle, label (tablets, mL); form & amount in which drug comes in

• H: have, label; dosage available

• D: desired dose/order by HCP

• T: time

• CF: conversion factor

Order/1 * Unit/Stock

Temperature

F→C: subtract 32, divide by 1.8

C→F: multiply by 1.8, add 32

Infusion

Drip rate on NON-IV pump: mL to infuse * tube drip factor (gtt/mL)/minutes to infuse = x gtt/min

• gtt = drops

• rounded to nearest whole number

Drip rate on IV pump: mL to infuse/hours to infuse = x mL/hr

Enteral Tube Feedings

total formula/strength in decimals = solution in mL

solution - total formula = water in mL

The questions will include oral medications, IV push medications, standard IV infusion, 2 pitocin titration questions, and 1 magnesium scenario split into 3 questions.