5 Integrated Practice and Calculation Safety Free Online FlashCards

What details should you identify in a complete medication order?

A complete order identifies the medication, dose, route, frequency or duration, and any weight-based instructions; it also states whether the dose is per administration or per day.

What is dimensional analysis?

Arrange known quantities so matching units cancel and the requested unit remains. This factor-label method helps structure medication calculations.

How do you convert a weight in pounds to kilograms?

Convert pounds to kilograms using $\text{kg}=\text{lb}\div 2.2$, unless an approved, more precise conversion is specified.

What must you verify on a medication product label?

Confirm the medication, formulation, strength or concentration, and the amount of product associated with it—for example, $125\,\text{mg}$ per $5\,\text{mL}$.

An order is $750\,\text{mg}$; each tablet contains $250\,\text{mg}$. How many tablets per dose?

$750\,\text{mg}\times\frac{1\,\text{tablet}}{250\,\text{mg}}=3\,\text{tablets}$ per dose.

For an order in $\text{mg/kg/day}$ divided across doses, what do you calculate first?

Calculate the total daily amount first, then divide it into the number of scheduled doses. Do not treat the daily amount as the amount per administration.

How many doses occur in $24$ hours when a medication is given every $8$ hours?

Every $8$ hours means $3$ doses in $24$ hours.

What is each dose for $18\,\text{kg}$ at $12\,\text{mg/kg/day}$, divided every $8$ hours?

At $18\,\text{kg}$, an order of $12\,\text{mg/kg/day}$ gives $216\,\text{mg/day}$. Dividing into $3$ doses gives $72\,\text{mg/dose}$.

What volume provides $72\,\text{mg}$ when the label reads $120\,\text{mg}$ per $5\,\text{mL}$?

$72\,\text{mg}\times\frac{5\,\text{mL}}{120\,\text{mg}}=3\,\text{mL}$ per dose.

What pump rate matches $4\,\text{mcg/kg/min}$ for $70\,\text{kg}$, with $400\,\text{mg}$ in $250\,\text{mL}$?

The rate is $10.5\,\text{mL/hr}$. Convert the ordered amount per minute to milligrams per hour, then apply the labeled concentration.

What is the gravity flow rate for $75\,\text{mL/hr}$ with a $15\,\text{gtt/mL}$ drop factor?

$75\,\text{mL/hr}\times\frac{15\,\text{gtt}}{\text{mL}}\times\frac{1\,\text{hr}}{60\,\text{min}}=18.75\,\text{gtt/min}$, rounded to $19\,\text{gtt/min}$.

When should you round a medication calculation?

Keep intermediate values unrounded. Round only the final result according to the required device precision and local policy.