Cabarrus College of Health Sciences

Medication Facts to Memorize

Conversion Reference Guide:

Must Memorize Conversions Helpful on Occasion
1 kg = 1000 g 1 kg = 2.2 lbs gr i = 60 mg
1 g = 1000 mg 1 oz = 30 mL 2 c = 1 pt
1 mg = 1000 mcg 1 tsp (t) = 5 mL 2 pt = 1 qt
1 L = 1000 mL 1 Tbsp (T) = 15 mL 4 qt = 1 gallon
1 c = 8 oz 1 inch = 2.54 cm

Dose Frequencies
Qday = once daily Q4h = every 4 hours or 6 times daily
BID = twice daily Q6h = every 6 hours or 4 times daily
TID = three times daily Q8h = every 8 hours or 3 times daily
QID = four times daily Q12h = every 12 hours or 2 times daily

Weight Based Doses - MD orders a medication amount based on the client’s weight
Example: Order 25units/kg for a client weighing 82lbs
Convert weight to kg and multiply 82 ÷ 2.2 = 37.27 = 37.3kg (This is one equation and is rounding takes place here)
Insert rounded weight into next calculation: 25 units/kg x 37.3kg = 932.5 units

Safe Dose -You have a medication order and you need to know if the order is safe to administer to your client
Example: Order 250mg Amoxil q6h Drug guide states recommended dose is 45mg/kg/day
Client weighs 40lbs
40 ÷2.2 = 18.18 = 18.2 kg Recommended dose: 45mg/kg/day x 18.2kg = 819mg/day
Order is for 250mg q 6h or 4 times/day which is 1000mg/day
Dose is not safe – MD should be notified

Safe Dose Range Example

Order: 2mg Valium q4h for seizures Drug guide states recommended range is 0.05 -0.3mg/kg/dose
Client weighs 35lbs; Is the ordered dose safe for this client?
35 ÷ 2.2 = 15.9kg minimum recommended dose = 0.05mg/kg/dose x 15.9kg = 0.795mg/dose
Maximum recommended dose – 0.3 mg/kg/dose x 15.9kg = 4.77mg/dose
2mg falls below the maximum recommended dose so it is therefore a safe dose

Equations
Dose x Quantity = amount to administer Key: Dose = ordered dose; Have = how medication is supplied
Have Quantity = form or amount medication is supplied in

Gravity infusion Amount x drop factor = gtt/minute

Time in minutes

Infusion Pumps run mL/hour

FOLLOW ALL ROUNDING DIRECTIONS!!