Drug Calculation

DRUG DOSAGE CALCULATION
BY LBS. DOBLADO, MAN, RN

WHY?
• Calculation will be necessary if dosage
prescribe is different from available
dosage.
• Drugs are measured using different units
of measurement.
• Infants and children cannot receive the
same dose of medication as adult.
❖Accurate dosage calculation are an

essential component of total nursing role
in safe administration of medication
Posology ( Greek póso(s) how much + -
logy)
• the branch of medicine concerned with
the determination of appropriate doses
of drugs or agents [ from French
posologie, from Greek posos how much]
Conversions:
• 1 liter (L) = 1000 ml (milliters)
• 1 gram (g) = 1000 mgs (milligrams)
• 1 mg (milligrams) = 1000 mcgs (micrograms)
• 1 gram (g) = 15 grain (gr)
• 1 grain (gr) = 60 mg (milligrams)
• 1 dram (dr) =4 ml (milliters)
• 1 ounce (oz) = 30 ml (milliters)
• 1 tsp (teaspoon) = 5 ml (milliters)
• 1 tbs (tablespoon) = 15 ml (milliters)
• 1 kg (kilogram) = 2.2 lbs (pounds)
• 1 inch = 2.54 cm (centimeters)
• 16 ounces (ozs) = 1 lb (pound)
• 1 cup = 8 ounces (ozs)
• 1 ml (milliter) = 15 minims
• 10 drops (gtt) = 15 minims
MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS
3 main types:
• Apothecary
• Household
• Metric
MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS
Apothecary –
• a system used for measuring and
weighing drugs and solutions,. Its
units are the grain, scruple, dram,
ounce, and pound.
MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS
Household –
• system of measure used in homes,
particularly in kitchens, The units
of household measure for volume
include teaspoon- ful, tablespoonful,
cup, pint, quart, and gallon.
MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS
Metric –
• A decimal system of weights and
measures based on the meter as
a unit of length, the kilogram as
a unit of mass, and the liter as
a unit of volume.
Metric Apothecary Household
4000ml 1gal(4qt)
1L (1000ml) 1qt (2pt)
500ml 1pt (16fl oz) 500ml 1pt (16fl oz)
240ml 8 oz 1 glass/measuring cup
180ml 6oz 1 teacup
15ml ½ oz (4 dr) 1 tbsp (tablespoon)
5ml 1 dr (60M) 1 tsp (Teaspoon)
1ml 15 M 15 gtt
1 M(minim) 1 gtt(drop)
60-65 mg 1 gr
1 g (1000mg) 15gr
1kg (1000g) 2.2 lb
Metric Conversions
• Metric weights and measurements
involve a step-by-step conversion from
one unit to another.
• With weight we often convert to smaller
(and more numerous units) thus:
• Kg ------gm ------mg ------mcg
grams milligrams micrograms
Metric Conversions
• Each of these steps involves the
heavier unit being multiplied by 1000
to bring up the number of the
smaller units for the same weight.
Metric Conversions
• Kg → g 1kg X 1000 = 1000 gm
• g →mg 1g X 1000 = 1000 mg
• mg → mcg 1mg X 1000 = 1000 mcg

Metric Conversions
• When we are converting volumes the
process is the same.
• Liters → 1000 ml
CALCULATION METHODS
Various methods are used for solving medication:
The most common methods are:
• Formula method
• Proportion
• Dimensional Analysis
• No one method is best for solving every type of

problem. Several good approaches are available,
• Rule #1 in drug calculations -STICK TO ONE
METHOD!
Formula for Calculating
Dosages
• Nurse must use formula consistently and,
in its entirety, to avoid errors.
• Units of measure must be in same
system before solving with the formula
• Memorize the formula:
D xQ = X
_______
S
Terms in Computation
D = Desired dose
• Ordered in unit of measure desired – mg, units, mEq
S = Stock dose
• Stock on hand/ available dose
• Have on hand in unit of measure available – mg, g,
units
Q = Quantity
• Unit of measure that carries what is on hand cited in
• “S” - tabs, mL, caps
X = Unknown
• Number of “Q”s needed to give the prescribed dose
Steps to Use Formula Method
1. Memorize or verify formula from resource
2. Place info in formula and label terms
3. Make sure everything is in same system
4. Apply logic test for reasonable answer
5. Calculate
6. Label answer with correct unit of measure
Note: Convert apothecary and household to metric
equivalents
• when possible – metric is the principal system
used for medications
Sample Computation
• Order: 0.375 mg p.o of a medicine
• Tablets are labeled 0.25 mg
D = 0.375 mg S = 0.25 mg Q = 1 tablet
D =0.375mg x (Q) = X
S = 0.25mg
0.375mg x (1) = X
0.25mg
0.375mg x 1 = 1.5
0.25mg
or
0.375mg = 1 1 tablet
0.25mg 2
• Remember, in any drug calculation, if you
do not include the proper unit in your
answer, your answer will be WRONG!
• Example: 5 mL, not 5.........2 tsp, not

2.........1 tablet, not 1
Practice Question:
• The physician orders Cephalexin (Keflex) 750
mg capsules P.O every day.
• How many capsules would you administer
daily?
Practice Question:
• The physician orders Ampicillin 350mg I.V
q8h
• How much of the drug would you
administer q8h?
Practice Question:
• The physician orders Theophylline 160mg q6h
orally (po).
• How many mL of Theophylline would you
administer q6h?
Practice Question:
• Doctor’s order is to administer 100 mcg of
Fentanyl IM STAT.
• How much of the drug would you
administer?
• How many times in a day will you give the
drug?
Practice Question:
The physician orders reads: “Give Ativan
2,500 mcg IM”
• How much of the drug will you give?
• What is the route of administration?
Practice Question:
• You have a new order for Jeff Smith. The medication order says:
“Tegretol suspension 200 mg po bid”
• You pick up the Tegretol liquid from the pharmacy.
• The label on the bottle looks like this:
1. What is the strength or concentration of the Tegretol liquid?

2. What is the amount of the liquid that should be given?
DRUG COMPUTATIONS
Formula:
The doctor has ordered Solu-Medrol,

40mg IVP q8h for a patient with a COPD
exacerbation. The vial comes as
125mg/2ml. How many ml will you give?
A. 0.26 ml
B. 0.33 ml
C. 0.64 ml
D. 1.00 ml

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DRUG DOSAGE CALCULATION

BY LBS. DOBLADO, MAN, RN

❖Accurate dosage calculation are an

15ml ½ oz (4 dr) 1 tbsp (tablespoon)

5ml 1 dr (60M) 1 tsp (Teaspoon)

• g →mg 1g X 1000 = 1000 mg

• mg → mcg 1mg X 1000 = 1000 mcg

• No one method is best for solving every type of

• Example: 5 mL, not 5.........2 tsp, not

1. What is the strength or concentration of the Tegretol liquid?

The doctor has ordered Solu-Medrol,

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