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Math
teaching and learning Resources
Pete Esser
​
mathematics
Drug Calculation Tips
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January 18, 2021
January 22, 2021
How to work/compute with a number like, "0.5 million".
January 28, 2021
Convert mg/mL to mcg/dL
Convert g/L to mg/dL
February 11, 2021
Patient's weight was 124 lb, now it is 119.5 lb...
February 25, 2021
An outpatient is prescribed Lovenox, available in a 300 mg/3 mL multi-use vial. The recommended FDA protocol is 1.5 mg/kg/day. How many milliliters should a 140 pound patient receive per day?
February 26, 2021
A 165 pound patient with meningitis is prescribed 1875 mg IV of ampicillin q4h. This is based upon a drug protocol of 150 mg/kg/day IV in equally divided doses every 4 hours. How many milliligrams should the patient receive per day?
March 3, 2021
350 mg of Drug XYZ is prescribed for a patient. The half-life of Drug XYZ is 10 hours. How much of the drug will be in the patient (express in milligrams and as a percent) after 50 hours?
March 4, 2021
250 mcg of Drug ABC is prescribed for a patient. The half-life of Drug ABC is 8 hours. How much of the drug will be in the patient (express in micrograms and as a percent) after 56 hours?
March 30, 2021
I am given a problem that lends itself to solution by dimensional analysis. How do I know which information should be used to start my computation?
March 31, 2021
Follow up to March 30, 2021. Four example problems provided to illustrate the first three tips.
aUGUST 12, 2021
Follow up to March 30, 2021. Three infusion problems are illustrated.
aUGUST 13, 2021
Follow up to March 30, 2021. Two problems are illustrated; (1) weight-based drug calculation, (2) determine drug protocol.
aUGUST 19, 2021
We review seven different varieties of measurement equivalencies used to solve drug calculation problems.
aUGUST 20, 2021
It is important to eliminate sources of med computation errors. This article addresses a common one..."in-the-air" conversions.
aUGUST 24, 2021
Learn how to avoid rounding errors in your computations.
January 21, 2022
In this document is the best single tip I have to offer you! Yes, really!!
January 25, 2022
Use this unconventional technique to test your skills!
February 15, 2022
My oft-repeated phrase, "If you take care of the words, the numbers will take care of themselves." explained!!
November 27, 2022
When provided with multiple amounts of time in a problem, use key words to select the correct information to compute flow rate.
January 18, 2023
When you forget an important equivalency, have a drink (or snack)!!
Don't have a drink or snack nearby? Have a coughing or sneezing fit! :-)
february 7, 2023
Beginner's Tips: How to narrow your search and select the best possible option. Includes three practice problems.
february 9, 2023
For surgical tech nurses; a visual method used to solve problems involving concentration.
May 16, 2023
Two reasons why sticking with the traditional advice of, "Start with doctor's orders." is still a good idea.
September 13, 2023
Doing mental arithmetic to solve drug calculations instead of dimensional analysis
can create some serious issues.
Dimensional Analysis in Nursing
2nd Edition now available.
35 modules of information to improve your drug calculation skills.
Upgrade your speed, confidence, and accuracy!!
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