6.3 Calculating Medication Dosage

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, learners will be able to:

  • explain a method for solving medication dose problems, and correctly solve medication dose problems.

Explain a Method for Solving Medication Dose Problems, and Correctly Solve Medication Dose Problems.

There are often multiple ways to solve problems involving math. In this workbook, the process of dimensional analysis is presented as one way to solve all types of medication-related problems. You can continue to use this process when solving practice problems presented in this chapter. Using this form of problem-solving can help you reduce errors if you struggle to remember formulas or figure out which formula to use as you can learn just one method to approach all the calculations.

How to

Steps to Calculate Medication Amounts

  1. Read the information carefully. Avoid distractions when preparing medications so you can focus on the problem at hand. What information are you trying to calculate?
  2. Set up the formula. When beginning to calculate medication amounts it is helpful to always write down your work so you can check your work and so others can help you find errors if you have made a mistake.
  3. Calculate the answer by using a calculator or mental math.
  4. Check your work. Always double-check your answer. Does it make sense? If you have determined you need to give 20 tablets for one dose this would be a red flag-an unlikely situation and indicates an error has probably been made. As a student, you should always have a supervising nurse check your math. After you graduate, there are specific high-risk medications (like insulin) that must be double-checked by another nurse. You may also decide that specific situations warrant asking someone to check, such as if you have been feeling tired or if there are distractions during your process of medication administration.

 

Example 1: Determining the number of tablets required when the dose is more than the supply

How many tablets would you administer for the following medication order?

Order: prednisone 20 mg PO OD
Supply: prednisone 5 mg tablets

Answer:

4 tablets.
[latex]\text{x tablets}=\dfrac{\text{1 tablet}}{\text{5 mg}}\times{\text{20mg}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x tablets}=\dfrac{\text{1 tablet}}{5\cancel{\text{ mg}}}\times{20\cancel{\text{ mg}}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x tablets}=\dfrac{\text{20 tablet}}{5}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x tablets}=4[/latex]

 

Alternate Formula for Solving Medication Dose Problems

[latex]\dfrac{\text{Desired amount}}{\text{Amount in supply}}\times{\text{Volume of supply}}=\text{Quantity for dose}[/latex]

This may also be written as:

[latex]\dfrac{\text{Desired Amount}}{\text{Dose on hand}}\times{\text{Volume}}=\text{Dose}[/latex]

Or abbreviated as:

[latex]\dfrac{\text{D}}{\text{H}}\times{\text{V}}=\text{Dose}[/latex]

Regardless of the words or letters chosen to represent numbers in the formula, the numbers related to the medication problem are always in the same place.

Here is the same problem from the sample exercise above, using this formula:

Order: prednisone 20 mg PO OD
Supply: prednisone 5 mg tablets

[latex]\dfrac{\text{Desired amount}}{\text{Amount in supply}}\times{\text{Volume of supply}}=\text{Quantity for dose}\\[/latex][latex]\dfrac{\text{20 mg}}{\text{5 mg}}\times{\text{1 tablet}}=\text{Quantity for dose}\\[/latex][latex]\dfrac{20\cancel{\text{ mg}}}{5\cancel{\text{ mg}}}\times{\text{1 tablet}}=\text{Quantity for dose}\\[/latex][latex]4\text{ tablets}\\[/latex]

Make sure to check your work:

  • First, check your formula and make sure it has been set up correctly.
  • Do all of the units cancel out based on the way you have set up the formula? If you are not left with units matching on both sides of the equals sign, this is a clue that information has been put into the formula incorrectly.
  • Next, look for calculation errors by doing the math again to see if you get the same answer.
  • Lastly, have a supervising nurse confirm you have calculated the correct amount.

Example 2: Determining the number of tablets required when the dose is less than the supply

How many tablets would you administer for the following medication order?

Order: metoprolol 12.5 mg PO BID
Supply: metoprolol 50 mg tablets

Answers:

0.25 of one tablet, or [latex]\dfrac{1}{4}\\[/latex]
[latex]\text{x tablets}=\dfrac{\text{1 tablet}}{\text{50 mg}}\times{\text{12.5mg}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x tablets}=\dfrac{\text{1 tablet}}{50\cancel{\text{ mg}}}\times{12.5\cancel{\text{ mg}}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x tablets}=\dfrac{\text{12.5 tablet}}{\text{50}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x tablets}=0.25[/latex]

Example 3: Determining the volume of medication required

What volume needs to be drawn up to administer the following medication?

Order: dimenhydrinate 25 mg SC prn q6h
Supply: dimenhydrinate 50 mg/mL

Answers:

0.5 mL
[latex]\text{x mL}=\dfrac{\text{1 mL}}{\text{50 mg}}\times{\text{25 mg}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x mL}=\dfrac{\text{1 mL}}{50\cancel{\text{ mg}}}\times{25\cancel{\text{ mg}}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x mL}=\dfrac{\text{25 mL}}{\text{50}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x mL}=0.5[/latex]

Key Concepts

When calculating dosages, follow the following steps:

  • Read the information presented carefully
  • Set up the formula
  • Ensure units cancel out
  • Calculate the amount required
  • Check your work

Exercises Part A: Calculating the number of tablets to administer

Calculate how many tablets would you administer for the following medication orders. Click on the word answers to check your work.

Questions:

  1. Order: acetaminophen 650 mg PO QID
    Supply: acetaminophen 325 mg tablets
  2. Order: sertraline 75 mg PO OD
    Supply: sertraline 25 mg capsules
  3. Order: ibuprofen 400 mg PO QID prn
    Supply: ibuprofen 200 mg tablets
  4. Order: dimenhydrinate 12.5 mg PO QID prn
    Supply: dimenhydrinate 50 mg tablets
  5. Order: gabapentin 300 mg PO OD
    Supply: gabapentin 100 mg capsules
  6. Order: azithromycin 1 g PO
    Supply: azithromycin 250 mg tablets
  7. Order: digoxin 250 mcg PO OD
    Supply: digoxin 0.5 mg tablets
  8. Order: furosemide 80 mg PO OD
    Supply: furosemide 40 mg tablets
  9. Order: glyburide 10 mg PO BID
    Supply: glyburide 5 mg tablets
  10. Order: diltiazem 45 mg PO BID
    Supply: diltiazem 90 mg tablets
Odd Answers:

1)  2 tablets
[latex]\text{x tablets}=\dfrac{\text{1 tablet}}{\text{325 mg}}\times{\text{650mg}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x tablets}=\dfrac{\text{1 tablet}}{325\cancel{\text{ mg}}}\times{650\cancel{\text{ mg}}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x tablets}=\dfrac{\text{650 tablet}}{\text{325}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x tablets}=2[/latex]

3)  2 tablets
[latex]\text{x tablets}=\dfrac{\text{1 tablet}}{\text{200 mg}}\times{\text{400mg}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x tablets}=\dfrac{\text{1 tablet}}{200\cancel{\text{ mg}}}\times{400\cancel{\text{ mg}}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x tablets}=\dfrac{\text{400 tablet}}{\text{200}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x tablets}=2[/latex]

5)  3 capsules
[latex]\text{x tablets}=\dfrac{\text{1 capsule}}{\text{100 mg}}\times{\text{300 mg}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x tablets}=\dfrac{\text{1 capsule}}{100\cancel{\text{ mg}}}\times{300\cancel{\text{ mg}}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x tablets}=\dfrac{\text{300 capsule}}{\text{100}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x tablets}=3[/latex]

7)  0.5 tablet
[latex]\text{x tablets}=\dfrac{\text{1 tablet}}{\text{0.5 mg}}\times{\dfrac{\text{1 mg}}{\text{1000 mcg}}}\times{\text{250 mcg}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x tablets}=\dfrac{\text{1 tablet}}{0.5\cancel{\text{ mg}}}\times{\dfrac{1\cancel{\text{ mg}}}{1000\cancel{\text{ mcg}}}}\times{250\cancel{\text{ mcg}}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x tablets}=\dfrac{\text{250 tablet}}{\text{500}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x tablets}=0.5[/latex]

9)  2 tablets
[latex]\text{x tablets}=\dfrac{\text{1 tablet}}{\text{5 mg}}\times{\text{10 mg}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x tablets}=\dfrac{\text{1 tablet}}{5\cancel{\text{ mg}}}\times{10\cancel{\text{ mg}}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x tablets}=\dfrac{\text{10 tablet}}{5}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x tablets}=2[/latex]

Exercises Part B: Calculating the volume of a medication dose

Calculate the volume of liquid you would draw up for the following medication orders. Click on the word answers to check your work.

Questions:

  1. Order: 25 mg dimenhydrinate IV q6h prn
    1 mL Dimenhydrinate injection USP. 50 mg per mL.
  2. Order: hydromorphone 1.5 mg SC q4h prn
    Hydromorphone hydrochloride injection. 2 mg per 1 mL.
  3. Order: 7 mg diazepam IM now
    2 mL diazepam injection USP. 10 mg per 2 mL.
  4. Order: gentamycin 112 mg IV q8h
    Gentamicin injection USP. 40 mg per mL. 80 mg per 2 mL.
  5. Order: hydromorphone 0.5 mg SC q4-6 h prn
    Hydromorphone hydrochloride injection. 2 mg per 1 mL.
  6. Order: 50 mcg cyanocobalamin SC OD x 7 days
    Cyanocobalamin injection USP. 1000 mcg per mL.
  7. Order:  digoxin 10 mcg/kg IV total loading dose; administer 50% initially; then give ¼ the loading dose q8hr twice. Client weighs 74 kg
    How much would you draw up for the first dose of digoxin?
    2 mL Digoxin injection. 0.5 mg per 2 mL. 0.25 mg per mL.
Odd Answers:

1)  0.5 mL
[latex]\text{x mL}=\dfrac{\text{1 mL}}{\text{50 mg}}\times{\text{25 mg}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x mL}=\dfrac{\text{1 mL}}{50\cancel{\text{ mg}}}\times{25\cancel{\text{ mg}}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x mL}=\dfrac{\text{25 mL}}{\text{50}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x mL}=0.5[/latex]

3)  1.4 mL
[latex]\text{x mL}=\dfrac{\text{2 mL}}{\text{10 mg}}\times{\text{7 mg}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x mL}=\dfrac{\text{2 mL}}{10\cancel{\text{ mg}}}\times{7\cancel{\text{ mg}}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x mL}=\dfrac{\text{15 mL}}{10}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x mL}=1.4[/latex]

5)  0.25 mL
[latex]\text{x mL}=\dfrac{\text{1 mL}}{\text{2 mg}}\times{\text{0.5 mg}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x mL}=\dfrac{\text{1 mL}}{2\cancel{\text{ mg}}}\times{0.5\cancel{\text{ mg}}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x mL}=\dfrac{\text{0.5 mL}}{2}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x mL}=0.25[/latex]

7)  1.48 mL
First, calculate the total loading dose based on the client’s weight.
[latex]\text{x mcg}=\dfrac{\text{10 mcg}}{\text{1 kg}}\times{\text{74 kg}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x mL}=\dfrac{\text{10 mcg}}{1\cancel{\text{ kg}}}\times{74\cancel{\text{ kg}}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x mL}=740\text{ mcg}\\[/latex]
Second, calculate the amount of the first portion of the loading dose. (50% = half of the total)
[latex]740\text{ mcg}\div 2[/latex]
[latex]=370\text{ mcg}[/latex]
Third, calculate the volume to draw up from the medication supply.
[latex]\text{x mL}=\dfrac{\text{1 mL}}{\text{0.25 mg}}\times\dfrac{\text{1 mg}}{\text{1000 mcg}}\times{\text{370 mcg}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x mL}=\dfrac{\text{1 mL}}{0.25\cancel{\text{ mg}}}\times\dfrac{1\cancel{\text{ mg}}}{1000\cancel{\text{ mcg}}}\times{370\cancel{\text{ mcg}}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x mL}=\dfrac{\text{370 mL}}{\text{250}}\\[/latex][latex]\text{x mL}=1.48\text{ mL}[/latex]

Exercises Part C: Calculating the Volume of a Medication Dose and Selecting the Correct Syringe Size

Calculate the volume of liquid you would draw up for the following medication orders. Look at the images and drag and drop an image of a syringe filled with the correct volume into the empty rectangle on the right. Click on the word check to see if you have selected a syringe with the correct volume. Click on the word answers to check your work for the medication math.

Questions:

Odd Answers:

1)  0.65 mL
[latex]\begin{align*} \dfrac{65}{x} &=\dfrac{100}{1} \\ \\ 65 &=\text{(100)(x)} \\ \\ 0.65 &=\text{x}\end{align*}[/latex]

3)  0.5 mL
[latex]\begin{align*} \dfrac{0.5}{x} &=\dfrac{1}{1} \\ \\ 0.5 &=\text{(1)(x)} \\ \\ 0.5 &=\text{x}\end{align*}[/latex]

5)  0.7 mL
[latex]\begin{align*} \dfrac{35}{x} &=\dfrac{50}{1} \\ \\ 35 &=\text{(50)(x)} \\ \\ 0.7 &=\text{x}\end{align*}[/latex]

7)  0.35 mL
[latex]\begin{align*} \dfrac{1.4}{x} &=\dfrac{4}{1} \\ \\ 1.4 &=\text{(4)(x)} \\ \\ 0.35 &=\text{x}\end{align*}[/latex]

9)  1.8 mL
[latex]\begin{align*} \dfrac{7.2}{x} &=\dfrac{4}{1} \\ \\ 7.2 &=\text{(4)(x)} \\ \\ 1.8 &=\text{x}\end{align*}[/latex]

Exercises Part D: Calculating the Volume of a Medication Dose and Selecting the Correct Syringe Size

Calculate the volume of liquid you would draw up for the following medication orders. Look at the images and determine which syringes filled with liquid represent the correct volume of medication. There may be more than one correct syringe size option. Drag and drop all syringes with the correct volumes into the open rectangle on the right. Click on the word check to see if your selection is correct. Click on the word answers to see the work for the medication math.

Questions:

Odd Answers:

1)  2 mL
[latex]\begin{align*} \dfrac{0.4}{x} &=\dfrac{0.2}{1} \\ \\ 0.4 &=\text{(0.2)(x)} \\ \\ 2 &=\text{x}\end{align*}[/latex]

3)  0.4 mL
[latex]\begin{align*} \dfrac{50}{x} &=\dfrac{125}{1} \\ \\ 50 &=\text{(125)(x)} \\ \\ 0.4 &=\text{x}\end{align*}[/latex]

5)  0.75 mL
[latex]\begin{align*} \dfrac{3}{x} &=\dfrac{4}{1} \\ \\ 3 &=\text{(4)(x)} \\ \\ 0.75 &=\text{x}\end{align*}[/latex]

7)  0.8 mL
[latex]\begin{align*} \dfrac{4}{x} &=\dfrac{5}{1} \\ \\ 4 &=\text{(5)(x)} \\ \\ 0.8 &=\text{x}\end{align*}[/latex]

9)  2.6 mL
[latex]\begin{align*} \dfrac{5.2}{x} &=\dfrac{2}{1} \\ \\ 5.2 &=\text{(2)(x)} \\ \\ 2.6 &=\text{x}\end{align*}[/latex]

Exercises Part E: Calculating the Volume of a Medication Dose and Selecting the Correct Syringe Size

Calculate the volume of liquid you would draw up for the following medication orders. Look at the images and determine which syringes filled with liquid represent the correct volume of medication. There may be more than one correct syringe size option. Drag and drop all syringes with the correct volumes into the open rectangle on the right. Click on the word check to see if your selection is correct. Click on the word answers to see the work for the medication math.

Questions:

  1. A patient exposed to an STI receives an order of ceftriaxone.
  2. A pediatric patient is requiring a dose of glycopyrrolate.
  3. A patient with an infection requires a dose of ampicillin.
  4. A pediatric patient has an anaphylactic reaction to a medication and pre-filled syringes are out of stock. Draw up the ordered dose of epinephrine. After the patient stabilizes, draw up diphenhydramine for IM injection.
  5. A physician has ordered dexamethasone for you to draw up and administer for a pediatric patient with cerebral edema.
  6. You are drawing up heparin for a pediatric patient’s loading dose for heparinization.
  7. A prophylactic dose of gentamicin is required for a pre-surgical adult patient weighing 53 kg.
  8. A child arrives at the emergency department with a fractured arm and requires morphine for acute pain.
  9. A 45-year-old with right-sided flank pain requires analgesics.
  10. You are caring for a 73-year-old with pulmonary edema.
Odd Answers:

1)  2.2 mL
[latex]\begin{align*} \dfrac{785}{x} &=\dfrac{250}{0.7} \\ \\ 549.5 &=\text{(250)(x)} \\ \\ 2.2 &=\text{x}\end{align*}[/latex]

3)  1.7 mL
[latex]\begin{align*} \dfrac{425}{x} &=\dfrac{500}{2} \\ \\ 850 &=\text{(500)(x)} \\ \\ 1.7 &=\text{x}\end{align*}[/latex]

5)  1.5 mL
[latex]\begin{align*} \dfrac{6}{x} &=\dfrac{4}{1} \\ \\ 6 &=\text{(4)(x)} \\ \\ 1.5 &=\text{x}\end{align*}[/latex]

7)  1.9 mL
[latex]\begin{align*} \dfrac{76}{x} &=\dfrac{40}{1} \\ \\ 76 &=\text{(40)(x)} \\ \\ 1.9 &=\text{x}\end{align*}[/latex]

9)  0.45 mL
[latex]\begin{align*} \dfrac{13.5}{x} &=\dfrac{30}{1} \\ \\ 13.5 &=\text{(30)(x)} \\ \\ 0.45 &=\text{x}\end{align*}[/latex]

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6.3 Calculating Medication Dosage Copyright © 2024 by Mike LePine is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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