Dosage Calculations

• Most common oral meds are tablets,

capsules, & liquids

• Scored tablets have indentations allowing for

easy division when only part of a medication
is to be administered
 Dosage Calculations

• General Formula

• Dose Desired X Drug Form = Amount to

Dose on Hand be administered

Dose Desired = Dose of Medication to be

administered
Dose on Hand = Dose of medication available
Drug Form = How medication is supplied
 Dosage Calculations
• Note:
• Dose Desired & Dose on Hand must be
expressed in like terms
• Drug Form is equivalent to dose on hand
• Recheck calculations if amount to be
administered is unrealistic
• The words drug & medication are used
interchangeably
 Dosage Calculations

• Alternate method for calculating number of

tablets, capsules or liquids uses ratios.

• Oral liquid medications are generally

calculated in mL & poured into a graduated
medicine cup, or spoon or drawn into a
calibrated syringe.
 Dosage Calculations
• The physician’s order reads:
Lanoxin 0.0625 mg po once a day.
Lanoxin (Digoxin) is available in 0.125 mg
tablets. How many tablet(s) will be
administered for each dose?
 Dosage Calculations
• Note: The drug form is not always 1.

Example:
Gravol liquid 75 mg po q4h prn is ordered.
Gravol (dimenhydrinate) liquid is available in
15 mg per 5 mL. How many mL will be
administered for each dose?
 Dosage Calculations

• Docusate sodium (Colace) syrup is available

in 20 mg per 5 mL. Mrs. Smith is ordered
docusate sodium (Colace) syrup 100 mg po
bid. How many mL(s) will be administered
for each dose?
 Dosage Calculations

• Mrs. Green is to receive metronidazole

(Flagyl) 1g po stat. The medication is
available in 250 mg tablets. How many
tablets would be given for one dose?
 Dosage Calculations

The doctor’s order reads:

Cardizem 90 mg po qid. The medication is
available in 60 mg scored tablets. How
many tablet(s) would be given for one dose?
 Dosage Calculations

• Urecholine 2.5 mg subcutaneously once a

day. The medication is available in 1 mL
ampules containing 5 mg. How many mL will
be administered for one dose?
 Dosage Calculations
• Lasix (furosemide) 120 mg is ordered. There
are 40 mg and 80 mg tablets on hand. How
many tablets and which strength would you
administer?