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Drug Study Guide Calculation PDF
Drug Study Guide Calculation PDF
Drug Study Guide Calculation PDF
NURSING 1229
This study guide is prepared to facilitate the learner’s pace through a Drug Calculation Study guide.
Description: This section introduces and describes the contents of the study guide. . Page 2
It further describes the major emphasis of the content.
Rationale: This section emphasizes the importance of the study guide and the . . . . Page 2
educational outcome for the learner.
Prerequisite Knowledge: This section lists what the learner has to complete . . . . . . Page 2
before this study guide can be studied.
Instructional Methods:This section identifies methods which will assist the . . . . . . . . . . Page 3
learner while working through the study guide.
Learning Activities: This section provides activities that must be performed . . . . . . . . Page 3
by the learner.
Resources: This section lists both required and recommended resources. . . . . . . . . . Page 3
This shows where the material for the study guide was obtained
and the correct information relative to each resource.
Instructions: This section informs the learner how to complete the drug . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 4
calculation study guide.
Advance Organizer: This section is a topical outline that systematically identifies . . . . Page 5
the major points within the study guide.
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HINDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING
NURSING 1229
Course: 1229
Description: This topic, Calculation of Medication Dosages, introduces to the learner the methods for calculation
and preparation of oral, parenteral, intravenous and pediatric medications. The learner will practice
calculation of medications utilizing the correct systems of measurement, ratio / proportion and
application of the correct symbols and abbreviations to given problems and/or situations.
Rationale: The calculation of dosages of medications to be administered via the oral, parenteral, intravenous,
route; and to the pediatric client is critical to the delivery of safe, competent nursing care. A
beginning practitioner in nursing struggles to master these essential skills. This study guide is
designed to assist the learner to completely and confidently calculate medication dosages.
Performance Objectives: The learner will be able at the completion of this study guide to:
1. Recall the common equivalents from the apothecaries and metric systems of measurement.
6. Calculate the rate, time and/or amount of medication / fluid administration to be delivered IV via gravity flow
and IV pump.
7. Calculate accurately oral, parenteral, and IV medication dosages for the pediatric client.
Prerequisite Knowledge:
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HINDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING
NURSING 1229
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS
1. Independent Study
a. reading
b. handouts
c. calculations
2. Review tests
4. Computer study
5. Comprehensive tests
LEARNER ACTIVITIES
1. Read texts
4. Complete Review Tests in Drug Calculation Study guide with at least 90% accuracy prior to
Comprehensive Test Date.
5. Complete Comprehensive Test with at least 90% accuracy within time frame.
1. Lilley - Pharmacology & the Nursing Process, current edition on book list
2. Gahart - Interavenous Medications, current edition on book list
3. Potter & Perry - Fundamentals of Nursing, current edition on book list
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DIVISION OF ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING
NURSING 1229
INSTRUCTIONS
6. Begin with the first learning activity and work toward the last.
A. Conferences with instructors are encouraged if the learner is unable to arrive at an accurate solution.
(Answers are to be compared with the Review Test Key)
B. A 90% accuracy score on the Review Test should be accomplished prior to attempting the
comprehensive tests. (included in this study guide and scored on your own)
8. Test Completion:
A. The learner will take the drug calculation test at a previously arranged time and location.
B. If a score of 90% is accomplished, no further involvement with the study guide is needed.
C. The learner will be allowed three opportunities to take the drug calculation test and obtain a mastery
score of 90%.
D. If less than a score of 90% is made, the learner will return to the study guide and work through the
content. A conference with an instructor is encouraged.
E. Following each Drug Calculation Test, the grades will be posted at a specified time. DO NOT under
any circumstances call the school for grades.
F. A test review will immediately follow each test.
9. Completion time:
Drug Calculation test dates and times will be announced at the time the study guide is initially given to the
learner.
10. Evaluation:
A total of 3 testing dates will be scheduled. If you are successful on the first attempt you do not have to
attend the remaining testing sessions. If you are unsuccessful and choose not to attend a testing session,
you will forfeit the opportunity for that attempt. Failure of the learner to obtain a 90% mastery of the modular
contents by the last testing date will result in a grade of F for the course and an inability to continue to be
enrolled in the nursing program.
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HINDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING
NURSING 1229
ADVANCE ORGANIZER
A. Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 18
B. Systems of Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 19
C. Equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 21
D. Ratio and Proportion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 23
X. Intravenous Medications
A. IV Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 48
B. Calculation of IVP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 50
C. IV Practice Problems with Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 52
D. Review Test with Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 55
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XI. Pediatric Medications
A. Calculation Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 58
B. Tips for Administering Pediatric Meds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 60
C. Pediatric Practice Problems with Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 61
D. Review Test with Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 66
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Basic Math Review
The following test is designed as a basic math review. Basic math is essential to calculation of drug dosages to
prevent errors in medication administration.
The student is encouraged to review the area(s) of basic math where there was any difficulty. This should be done
prior to beginning the drug calculation module. There are many computer programs and math resources available
to help you.
1. VI ____________
2. XII ____________
3. IX ____________
4. III ____________
5. XXIV _____________
Calculate the following problems with decimals and express the answer to the nearest tenth:
Calculate the following problems with fractions and reduce to the lowest terms:
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Use ratio and proportion to solve for x:
31. If you are traveling at 55 mph (55 miles : 1 hour) how long would it take you to travel 300 miles?
____________________
32. If Tylenol comes in 325mg tablets (325mg : 1 tablet) how many tablets would you take to get 650mg?
_____________________
33. 5% of 75 ________________
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Basic Math Review Answers*
Fractions:
13. 1 3/16
14. 4 1/4
15. 1
16. 12 9/16
17. 2/5
18. 1 15/16
19. 11 3/4
20. 1/10 * If you missed any of the basic math problems, go
21. 2 2/9 back and review the math related to any of the areas
22. 10 2/5 you missed before you proceed.
23. 2/3
24. 8
25. 1 17/28
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Attachment A
Abbreviation Meaning
HINDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING
NURSING 1229 OS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . left eye
os . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . mouth
Symbols - Abbreviations Used in Drug OU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . both eyes
Administration
oz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ounce
pc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . after meals
Abbreviation Meaning
per . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by
PO or per os . . . . . . . . . . . . by mouth
aa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . of each
prn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . when required
ac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . before meals
qd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . every day
ad lib . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . as desired
qh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . every hour
bid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . twice a day
_ qam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . every morning
c . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . with qpm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . every night
caps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . capsules q2h . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . every 2 hours
comp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . compound q3h . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . every 3 hours
c/o . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . complaint of q4h . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . every 4 hours
D/C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . discontinue qid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . four times a day
elix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . elixir qod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . every other day
dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . dram qoh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . every other hour
fld or fl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . fluid qs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . quantity sufficient
Gm or g . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . gram _
s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . without
gr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . grain
SC, Sc, Subq, Sq . . . . . subcutaneously
gtt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . drop
ss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a half
h or hr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . hour
stat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . immediately
hs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . hour of sleep
supp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . suppository
IM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . intramuscular
tid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . three times a day
IV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . intravenously
Tbsp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . tablespoon
kg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . kilogram
tsp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . teaspoon
L . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . liter
U . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . unit
m . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . minim
mcg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . microgram
mEq . . . . . . . . . . . . . . milliequivalent
mg, mgm . . . . . . . . . . . . . milligram
ml . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . milliliter
NPO . . . . . . . . . . . . . nothing by mouth
OD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . right eye
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Attachment B
Systems of Measurement
A. Apothecaries’ System
1. Weight units
a. grains
b. drams
c. ounces
d. pounds
2. Fluid units
a. minims
b. pints
c. quarts
d. gallons
B. Metric System
1. Weight Units
a. kilograms
b. grams
c. milligrams
d. micrograms
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Attachment C
Table of Equivalents
15-16 m . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 ml (milliliter)
1 cc (cubic centimeter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 ml
1 dram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 ml
1 tsp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 ml
2 Tbsp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 oz = 30 ml
8 drams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 oz
1000 ml . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 L (liter)
15 gr (grain) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Gm
60/64/65 mg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 gr
0.4 mg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/150 gr
1000 Gm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Kg (kilogram)
1 Kg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2 lbs
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Attachment D
RATIO:
For Example, in nursing school each clinical instructor is assigned 10 students. The ratio of instructor
to students is 1 : 10 (reads one to ten). The ratio of students to instructor is 10 : 1. It can be expressed
either way.
If medication comes in a package labeled 30 mg tablets. This can be expressed as a ratio as follows:
PROPORTION:
Ratio and proportion is used to solve for x in calculation of drug dosages when the drug is available in one strength
but supplied by pharmacy in a different strength.
(Have) (Desired)
Available Ordered
30mg : 1 tab = 15mg : X tab
Ratio and proportion is used to convert within and between the metric system and apothecary system of
measurement.
(Have) (Desired)
equivalent I know what I want to give
8 oz : 1 cup = X oz : 2 1/2 cups
When setting up ratio and proportion the problem can only be solved if each ratio is set up in the same order using
the same denomination.
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mg : tablet = mg : tablet
oz : cup= oz : cup
The medication is sent from the pharmacy in 30mg tablets. The doctor has ordered gr 1/2 per dose. You need to
figure out how many tablets to give the client.
(Have) (Desired)
30mg : 1 tablet = gr 1/2 : X tablets
Since the ratios are not equal, you must change 30mg to grains OR gr 1/2 to mg. This requires a conversion:
(equivalent I know) (what I want)
60mg : 1gr = X mg : 1/2 gr
X = 30mg
Now you know that gr 1/2 = 30mg so you can replace gr 1/2 in the proportion with 30mg. Now it is equal on both
sides, and you can solve for x.
(Have) (Desired)
30mg : 1 tablet = 30mg : X tablets
Once you have set up the proportion and make sure each ratio is equal you can solve for X:
30X = 15
30X = 15
30 30
1X = 1
2
X = 1/2 tablet
(the X in the original problem is next to tablet)
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Attachment E
GENERAL RULE FOR ROUNDING OFF: When rounding off numbers 5 and above, round up.
Numbers below 5, round down.
Whole capsules or tablets (which are not scored) should be rounded to the nearest whole number. The
difference should not exceed 10% of total amount ordered.
If unable to accurately measure dose on available medication cup, use a syringe to obtain accurate
measurement of dose.
III. Milliliters
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A. Volumes greater than 1 ml. or cc: Volumes using milliliters or cc's greater than 1 should be
divided to the hundredths place and rounded to the nearest tenth.
B. Volumes less than 1 ml or cc: Volumes using milliliters or cc's less than 1 ml should be divided
to the thousandths place, and rounded to the nearest hundredth. A TB syringe is appropriate
for this measurement.
IV. Minims
B. Minims should be divided to the tenths place and rounded to the nearest whole number.
V. Drops
Calculate to the tenths place and round off to the nearest whole number
When converting pounds to kilograms, the weight should be carried to the hundredths place and
rounded to the tenths place.
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HINDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING
NURSING 1229
1 ac _____________________________________________________________
2 bid _____________________________________________________________
3 hs _____________________________________________________________
4 OD _____________________________________________________________
5 OU _____________________________________________________________
6 os _____________________________________________________________
7 pc _____________________________________________________________
8 ss _____________________________________________________________
_
9 s _____________________________________________________________
10 po _____________________________________________________________
11 qod _____________________________________________________________
12 qh _____________________________________________________________
_
13 c _____________________________________________________________
14 m _____________________________________________________________
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15 g _____________________________________________________________
1 gr ¼ =____________mg
2 0.25 mg=____________gr
3 gr 1/300 =____________mg
4 60 mg =____________g
5 500 mg =____________g
6 1 ounce=____________dram
7 4T =____________t
8 3t =____________T
9 2T =____________oz
10 3 T =____________ml
11 45 ml =____________oz
12 0.2 g =____________gr
13 gr 1/15 =____________ g
14 gr ¼ =____________mg
15 120 mg =____________gr
16 0.03 g =____________gr
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17 3/4 ml =____________ m
18 30 m =____________ml
19 2 Kg =____________ lb
20 53.4 lb =____________ Kg
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HINDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING
NURSING 1229
K ey - Systems of Measurement
1. 15 mg
2. .004 gr
3. 0.2 mg
4. 0.06 g
5. 0.5 g
6. 8 drams
7. 12 tsp
8. 1T
9. 1 oz
10. 45 ml
11. 1 ½ oz
12. 3 gr
13. .004 g
14. 15 mg
15. 2 gr
16. 0.45 gr
17. 12 m (use 1 ml : 16 m)
18. 2 ml
19. 4.4 lb
20. 24.3 kg
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HINDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING
NURSING 1229
1 500 mg =____________ Gm
2 gr X =____________ Gm
3 25 mg =____________ Gm
4 gr 3/4 =____________ mg
5 2 oz =____________ ml
6 2 tsp =____________ ml
7 gr ¼ =____________ mg
8 1 ½ oz =____________ ml
9 gr 30 =____________ Gm
10 15 mg =____________ gr
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HINDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING
NURSING 1229
K ey -Equivalents
1. 0.5 Gm or ½ Gm
2. 0.67 Gm
3. 0.025 Gm
4. 45 mg
5. 60 ml
6. 10 ml
7. 15 mg
8. 45 ml
9 .2 Gm
10. 1/4 gr or 0.25 gr
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HINDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING
NURSING 1229
1. A car travels 100 miles on 6 gallons of gas. How many gallons will it take for 350 miles?
2. The recipe calls for 3/5 cup of sugar for every 2 oranges. How many oranges will be needed for 3 cups of sugar?
3. The weight for 14 eggs is 2 1/3 pounds. How many eggs will it take to weigh 5 pounds?
4. Three tablets equal 3 grams. How many tablets will be required to equal nine grams?
5. If 3 quarts of alcohol are required to prepare an 8 quart solution, how much alcohol will be required to prepare a
20 quart solution?
6. To prepare 8 lbs of berries, 4 pounds of sugar is required. How much sugar will be needed to prepare 10 pounds
of berries?
7. It takes 5 scoops of coffee to make 10 cups. How many scoops does it take for 15 cups?
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8. The flower arrangement requires 5 daisies for each rose. If you use 4 roses, how many daisies would you need?
9. The doctor has ordered 1 pill q 6 hours. How many days will 24 pills last?
10. There is 1 computer for every 30 students in the computer lab. How many students will 15 computers
accommodate?
100x = 2100
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2. 2 oranges : 3/5 c sugar = x oranges : 3 cups sugar 20 = x
20 daisies = x
6 = 3/5 x
6 = 3/5 x
9. 1 pill : 6 hours = x pills : 24 hours
3/5 = 3/5
24 = 6 x 24 = 6 x
10 oranges = x
6 6
3. 14 eggs : 2 ½ lb = x eggs : 5 lb
x = 4 pills per 24 hours or 1 day
70 = 2 1/3 x
4 pills : 1 day = 24 pills : x days
70 = 2 1/3 x
2 1/3 2 1/3
4 x = 24 4 x = 24
30 eggs = x
4 4
x = 6 days
4. 3 tab : 3 Gm = x tab : 9 Gm
27 = 3 X
10. 1 computer : 30 students = 15 computers : x
27 = 3x students
3 = 3
9 tabs = x 1 x = 450
x = 450 students
5. 3 qt alcohol : 8 qt sol = x qt alcohol : 20 qt sol
60 = 8x
60 = 8x
8 8
7 ½ qt alcohol = x
7. 5 scoops : 10 c = x scoops : 15
75 = 10 x
75 = 10x
10 10
7 ½ scoops = x
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HINDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING
NURSING 1229
1. The doctor orders Ampicillin 1.5 Gm. The drug label reads 600 mg per scored tablet. How many tablets does
the patient receive?
2. The doctor orders Benadryl 75 mg. The drug label reads 0.025 Gm per tablet. How many tablets are needed?
3. The doctor orders Phenobarbital gr ss. The drug comes in 60 mg tablets. How many tablets would you give?
4. The order is for Tylenol gr X. The drug comes gr V per dram. How many milliliters should the patient receive
5. The doctor orders Chloral Hydrate 50 mg. The drug labels reads elixir 0.025 Gm/ml. How many milliliters
should the patient receive?
6. The order is for Dilantin 75 mg. The drug label reads Dilantin 50 mg/5 ml. How many milliliters should the
patient receive?
7. The doctor orders Gantrisin 1.5 Gm stat. The drug label reads 7.5 gr per tablet. How many tablets should the
patient receive?
8. The order is for Motrin 300 mg. The drug is available as gr x scored tablets. How many tablets will you give?
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9. The order is for Amoxil suspension 300 mg. The drug label reads gr i per milliliter. How many milliliters
should the patient receive?
10. The physician orders Codeine 30mg prn for pain. The drug label reads gr ¼ per tablet. How many tablets will
you give?
11. Prednisone 60 mg is ordered. On hand are 15 mg tablets. How many will you give?
12. Digoxin 0.125 mg is ordered. Available is elixir labeled .05 mg/ml. How many ml will you give?
13. Codeine gr 1/6 is ordered'. Available is 5 mg tabs. How many will you give?
14. Aspirin gr X is ordered. On hand are 325mg tablets. How many will you give?
15. Dilaudid gr iss is ordered. On hand are gr i scored tablets. How many will you give?
16. Ceclor 375 mg is ordered. Available are 250 mg scored tablets. How many will you give?
17. Augmenter 600 mg is ordered. On hand is 500 mg/5 ml. How many ml will you give?
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18. Nitrobid gr XV is ordered. Available are gr X scored tablets. How many will you give?
19. Phenobarbital gr 1/300 has been ordered. Available is gr 1/150 per ml. How many ml will you give?
20. The physician orders Seconal gr XXX. The drug label reads 1 Gm per tablet. many tablets should the patient
receive?
21. The order is for Lanoxin .5 mg. The drug label reads 0.25 mg per tablet. How many tablets should the patient
receive?
22. Lasix 20 mg is ordered. The drug label reads 10 mg per tablet. How many tablets should the patient receive?
23. The physician orders Decadron 1 mg. The drug label reads 2 mg per scored tablet. How many tablets should
the patient receive?
24. The physician orders Tetracycline 500 mg. The drug label reads 1 Gm per scored tablet. How many tablets
should the patient receive?
25. The order is Synthroid 125 mcg. The drug label reads 0.125 mg per tablet. How many tablets should the
patient receive?
26. Phenobarbital gr 1 ½ is ordered. The drug label reads gr ½ per tablet. many tablets should the patient receive?
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27. Mylanta ½ oz is ordered. How many milliliters should the patient receive?
28. The physician orders Lasix 30 mg. The drug label reads 5 mg/ml. How many milliliters should the patient
receive?
29. Penicillin 250,000 U is ordered. The drug label reads 100,000 U/ml. How many milliliters should the patient
receive?
30. M.O.M. 20 ml is ordered. How many teaspoons should the patient receive?
31. The doctor orders 0.1 Gm of a medication. On hand is 50 mg/5 ml. How many ml will you give?
32. Ampicillin 500 mg is ordered. Available is 250 mg / 5 ml. How many drams would you give?
3. 60 mg : 1 gr = X mg : ½ gr
2. 1000 mg : 1 g = 75 mg : x g X = 30 mg
1000 x = 75
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60 mg : 1 tab = 30 mg : x tab ¼ gr : 1 tab = ½ gr : x tab
60 X = 30 ¼X=½
X = ½ tab X = 2 tabs
1 dr : 4 ml = 2 dr : X ml
X = 8 ml
0.025 Gm : 1 ml = .05 : X ml
.025 X = .05 13. 1 gr : 60 mg = 1/6 gr : X mg
X = 2 ml X = 10 mg
1 tab : 5 mg = X tab “ 10 mg
10 = 5 X
X = 2 tabs
6. 50 mg : 5 ml = 75 mg : X ml
50 X = 375
X = 7.5 ml 14. 1 gr : 64 mg = 10 g : X mg
X = 640 mg
8. 60 mg : 1 gr = 300 mg : X gr
60 X = 300 16. 1 tab : 250 mg = X tab : 375 mg
X = 5 gr 375 = 250 X
X = 1 ½ tabs
10 gr : 1 tab = 5 gr : x tab
10 X = 5
X = ½ tab 17. 500 mg : 5 ml = 600 mg : x ml
500 X - 3000
X = 6 ml
9. 60 mg : 1 gr = 300 mg : X gr
60 X = 300 18. 10 gr : 1 tab = 15 gr : X tab
X = 5 gr 10 X - 15
X = 1 ½ tabs
1 gr : 1 ml = 5 gr : X ml
1X=5
X = 5 ml 19. gr 1/150 : 1 ml = gr 1/300 : X ml
1/150 X = 1/300
X = ½ ml
10. 60 mg : 1 gr = 30 mg : X gr
60 X = 30
X = ½ gr 20. 15 gr : 1 Gm = 30 gr : X
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15 X = 30 31. 1 Gm 1000 mg = 0.1 Gm : X
X = 2 Gm X = 100 mg
1 tab : 1 g = X tab : .5 g
.5 = X
½ tab + X
27. 1 : 30 ml = ½ : X ml
X - 15 ml
28. 5 mg : 1 ml = 30 mg : X ml
5 X - 30
X - 6 ml
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HINDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING
NURSING 1229
Review Test - P.O. Medications
1. Patient has 500 mg Ceclor ordered tid. Ceclor comes 250 mg/ml. How many ml would the patient receive?
2. Keflex 0.5 Gm is ordered. Available is 250 mg capsule. How many capsules will you give?
3. You are to give gr. iss Codeine. You have on hand Codeine gr i per 5 ml. How many ml will you give?
4. Tegretol gr XV is ordered. On hand are gr V capsules. How many capsules would you give?
5. You are to give Chloral Hydrate gr. XV p.c. You have 0.5 gm per ml on hand. How much should you
give?
6. The physician has ordered Dilantin gr V. The capsules are labeled 100 mg. How many would you give?
7. The physician orders Doxidan 300 mg p.o. qd. On hand you have Doxidan 0.5 gm/10 ml. You would give
________ ml.
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8. Physician orders 2 Gm of Motrin. Label reads gr. XV per tab. How many tab(s) would you prepare?
9. The doctor has ordered 325 mg ASA for elevated temperature. Available is gr V tablets. How many will you
give?
10. Benadryl gr. ss is ordered. On hand is Benadryl 15 mg capsules. How many would you give?
11. Dilantin 300 mg is ordered. On hand are 150 mg capsules. How many would you give?
12. How many drams would you give if the dose ordered is 40 mg and the solution is labeled 100mg/fl oz?
13. Ampicillin 500 mg is ordered. On hand are scored tablets labeled 1 Gm/tablet. How many will you give?
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14. The doctor has ordered elixir of Dilantin 0.5 gm a.c. tid. The label reads elixir of Dilantin 250 mg/ml. How
many mls will you give with each dose?
15. The doctor has ordered Elixir Bromphen 200 mg po. On hand is a bottle labeled Elixir Bromphen 0.1 Gm per 3
ml. How many mls will you give?
16. The doctor orders 500 mg of Donnatal. On hand are 0.25 Gm tablets. How many tablets will you give?
17. You are to give Chloral Hydrate 30 mg. How have 0.3 gram per 10 ml on hand. How much should you give?
18. Synthroid .112 mg is ordered. On hand is Synthroid 0.225 mg per tablet. How many tablets will you give?
19. Sodium Luminal 60 mg is ordered. The label reads 30 mg/ml. How many ml’s will you give?
20. The laxative of choice for your patient is MOM 1 ½. How many milliliters will you give to your patient?
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K ey - Review Test - P.O. Medications
1. 2 ml
2. 2 caps
3. 7.5 ml
4. 3 caps
5. 2 ml
6. 3 caps
7. 6 ml
8. 2 tabs
9. 1 tab
10. 2 caps
11. 2 caps
12. 3 drams (3.2 drams)
13. ½ tabs
14. 2 ml
15. 6 ml
16. 2 tabs
17. 1 ml
18. ½ tab
19. 2 ml
20. 45 ml
Note: All answers must be labeled properly or the problem will be counted wrong.
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HINDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING
NURSING 1229
Types of Syringes
Syringes used to measure parenteral drugs for administration, are calibrated in cubic centimeters (cc) or
milliliters (ml) and are available in a variety of sizes (ie: 3 cc, 5 cc). The smaller syringes (ie: 2 ½ cc, 3 cc)
usually are calibrated in tenths of a cc (ie: 0.2 cc, 0.3 cc, 0.8 cc) and in minims.
The tuberculin (TB) syringe is a 1-milliliter syringe calibrated in tenths and in hundredths of a milliliter (ie: 0.3
ml, .35 ml) and in minims (ie: 16 m/1 ml)
The insulin Syringe is calibrated in Units (U). There are two sizes of insulin syringes, one is a 1cc syringe
marked in 100 units. The other is a ½ cc syringe marked off in 50 units. Only insulin syringes should be used
to administer insulin.
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HINDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING
NURSING 1229
1. The physician ordered 100 mcg of thyroxin. The label reads 0.2 mg/l ml. How many mls will you
prepare?
2. The physician ordered 0.5 Gm of Sulfa. The label reads 250 mg per 1 ml. How many mls will you give?
3. The physician ordered 1 Gm of antibiotic IM. The label reads 250 mg per ml. How many mls will you
give?
4. The physician ordered 750 mg of Amoxil IM. The label reads 125 mg per ml. How much will you give?
5. The physician ordered 300 mg of Keflex IM. The label reads 1 Gm per 2.5 ml. How many mls would
you give?
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HINDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING
NURSING 1229
Apothecary System
Example: Physician ordered gr 1/6 morphine SQ. Label reads gr ½ per cc. How many cc(s) would you
prepare?
gr 1/6 : X cc = gr ½ : 1 cc
½ X = 1/6
½ x = 1/6
½ ½
X = .33 cc
1. Physician ordered gr ½ codeine IM. Label reads gr 1 per 2 cc. How many cc(s) would you give?
2. Physician ordered gr 1/6 morphine SQ. Label reads gr ¼ per cc. How many cc(s) would you prepare?
3. Physician ordered gr 1/200 of Atropine. Label reads gr 1/100 per cc. How many cc(s) would you give?
4. Physician ordered gr 1/150 of Seconal. Label reads gr 1/300 per 0.5 cc. How many cc(s) would you
give?
5. Physician ordered gr 0.5 of Scopolamine. Label reads gr 2.5 per 1 cc. How many cc(s) would you
give?
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HINDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING
NURSING 1229
Conversion to Minims
Example: Physician orders 50 mg of a drug which is supplied as 75 mg in each .5 ml. How many minims
would you prepare?
50 mg : X = 75 : .5 ml
75 X = 50 X .5
75 X = 25.0
X = 25/75 = 1/3 = .333
X = .33 ml
.33 .33
x 15 x 16
165 198
33 33
4.95 or 5 minims 5.28 or 5 minims
1. Physician orders 15 mg of a drug. On hand is 25 mg per cc. How many minims would you prepare?
2. Ordered is 40 mg of a drug. On hand is 100 mg per ml. How many minims would you prepare?
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HINDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING
NURSING 1229
Example: Physician ordered gr 1/100 of Scopolamine. Label reads 0.3 mg/l ml. How many ml(s) would
you prepare?
1. Physician ordered gr V of a drug. Label reads 0.6 Gm per 1 cc. How many cc would you give?
2. Physician ordered Demerol 75 mg. Label reads gr V per ml. How many ml(s) would you give?
3. Physician ordered 1/100 gr Atropine. Label reads 0.4 mg per ml. How many ml(s) would you prepare?
4. Physician ordered 300 mg of a drug. Label reads gr X per ml. How many ml(s) would you give?
5. Physician ordered 0.6 mg of a drug. Label reads gr 1/150 per ml. How many ml(s) would you prepare?
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HINDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING
NURSING 1229
Reconstitution
Example: The physician orders 300,000 units of Penicillin. It is supplied in a drug powder vial. Directions
state: Add 10 ml of sterile saline to obtain 100,000 units per ml.
Note: Desired dosage is 300,000 units. Available dosage is 100,000 units/1 ml.
300,000 = X
100,000
3 ml = X
1. Ordered is 300,000 U Penicillin IM q 6 hours. Directions on the vial state "Add 1.4 ml sterile water to
make 600,000 units of Penicillin per 2ml. How many ml will you give?
2. Physician orders Sodium Oxacillin 500 mg IM. You have a vial that reads: “Add 5 ml sterile water for
injection. Each 1.5 ml of solution contains 600 mg .” How many ml will you give?
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HINDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING
NURSING 1229
Heparin
Example: The physician has ordered Heparin 3,500 units. On hand is a vial containing 5,000 units / 1 ml.
How many ml will you give?
5000 : 1 = 3,500 : X
5000 X = 3500
X = 3500
5000
X = 0.7 ml
1. Ordered is Heparin 7,500 units. On hand is Heparin 10,000 U/1 ml. How many ml will you give?
2 Ordered is Heparin 17,000 U. On hand you have Heparin 25,000 U/1 ml. How many ml will you give?
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HINDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING
NURSING 1229
Insulin
Insulin is a hormone supplied in units and administered subcutaneously or intravenously. Only insulin
syringes should be used to administer insulin.
Example: The physician has ordered 45 units NPH U 100 Insulin and 10 units Regular Insulin every am.
How many units total would you give?
1. 3 units Reg U100 Insulin and 14 units NPH U100 Insulin is ordered. How many total units will you give?
2. Which insulin syringe would be most preferable to use - the ½ cc or the 1 cc?
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K ey - Parenteral Medications Practice Problems
1. 1 cc 1. 1 ml
2. 0.67 cc 2. 1.3 ml
3. 0.5 cc
4. 1 cc
5. 0.2cc
Heparin Problems
Insulin Problems
1. 17 units
2. ½ cc syringe
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HINDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING
NURSING 1229
1. On hand is Ampicillin 500 mg / ml. The order reads Ampicillin 0.25 Gm IM. How many ml will you
give?
2. Morphine Sulfate gr 1/10 IM is ordered. On hand is 10 mg per ml. How many ml will you give?
3. Procaine Penicillin 400,000 units is ordered. On hand is 300,000 U / ml. How many ml will you give?
4. Nembutal gr ii is ordered. On hand is 100 mg/1 cc. How many minims will you give?
5. Methicillin 300 mg IM q 6 hr is ordered. The vial is labeled 1 Gm/2 ml. How many ml will you give?
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6. Ordered is Pentobarbital 50 mg and Scopolamine gr 1/300 IM. Available is Pentobarbital 100mg/ml
and Scopolamine 0.4 mg/ 0.5 ml. How many ml of Pentobarbital and how many ml of Scopolamine will
you give?
7. Ordered Atropine Sulfate gr 1/200 IM. The 2 ml prefilled syringe is labeled Atropine Sulfate 0.5 mg.
How many ml will you give?
8. Ordered is Vancomycin .2 Gm IM qid. It is available as 50 mg / 0.5 ml. How many ml will you give?
9. Heparin 7,500 U is ordered. On hand is 5,000 U/1 ml. How many ml will you give?
10. 55 units of NPH U100 Insulin and 12 units of Reg. Insulin is ordered every am. How many units would
you give?
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K ey - Review Test - Parenteral Medications (Injection)
1. 0.5 ml
2. 0.6 ml
3. 1.3 ml
4. 18 minims
5. 0.6 ml
6. 0.5 ml Pentobarbital
0.25 ml Scopolamine
7. 1.2 ml
8. 2 ml
9. 1.5 ml
10. 67 units
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