WGU D441 (New 2024/
2025 Update) Medical
Dosage Calculations and
Pharmacology
electronic regulator pumps: - ANSWER-machines that deliver and monitor IV fluids at a
set rate; these pumps alert health care professionals if a problem arises and allow them
to perform other tasks; usually like 1000 mL/2 hours or 400 mL/8 hours
IV tubing: - ANSWER-specific to the type of pump, run through an electronic regulator
IV formula: - ANSWER-Total mL ordered
__________________________ = mL/hour (round 2 whole#)
, Total time ordered in hours
If IV rate doesn't come out correctly, like it's taking 2 hours instead of 1, - ANSWER-
report it to your supervisor of flow rate is not constant and correct. DO NOT change the
flow rate because the change may cause the fluid or medication to be infused to quickly.
infiltrated: - ANSWER-when there is leakage of IV fluid or medication into the
surrounding tissue; you can cause damage by increasing the flow rate
Manual IV sets - ANSWER-use gravity to infuse a solution at a set rate; this means you
need to know the drop factor
drop factor = - ANSWER-drops per milliliter (gtt/mL; how many drips are in 1 mL)and is
stated on the package of the IV tubing (the drop factor is built into electronic pumps
because the tubing matches the pump)
IV tubing has either ___ or ___ chamber - ANSWER-microdrip or macrodrip chamber
micro drip is: - ANSWER-60 gtt/mL
macrodrip is: - ANSWER-either 10 0r 15 gtt/mL, again as stated on the tubing practice
ratios - ANSWER-comparisons between two things
proportion - ANSWER-statement saying those two ratios are equal
formula - ANSWER-rule prescribing how to calculate a dosage
dimensional analysis - ANSWER-method based on the premise that any number can be
multiplied by one without changing its value
fraction method - ANSWER-uses two equivalent proportions to find the answer
drug dose calculation:step 1: - ANSWER-conversion of numbers to the same unit of
measurement
drug dose calculation: step 2: - ANSWER-using the preferred method, write the problem
on paper; check again to confirm that your calculations are correct
4 methods by which to calculate drug dosages for nonparenteral (oral) route of
administration: - ANSWER-1. ratio and proportion method
2. formulation method
3. dimensional analysis
4. fractions
nonparenteral - ANSWER-oral
2025 Update) Medical
Dosage Calculations and
Pharmacology
electronic regulator pumps: - ANSWER-machines that deliver and monitor IV fluids at a
set rate; these pumps alert health care professionals if a problem arises and allow them
to perform other tasks; usually like 1000 mL/2 hours or 400 mL/8 hours
IV tubing: - ANSWER-specific to the type of pump, run through an electronic regulator
IV formula: - ANSWER-Total mL ordered
__________________________ = mL/hour (round 2 whole#)
, Total time ordered in hours
If IV rate doesn't come out correctly, like it's taking 2 hours instead of 1, - ANSWER-
report it to your supervisor of flow rate is not constant and correct. DO NOT change the
flow rate because the change may cause the fluid or medication to be infused to quickly.
infiltrated: - ANSWER-when there is leakage of IV fluid or medication into the
surrounding tissue; you can cause damage by increasing the flow rate
Manual IV sets - ANSWER-use gravity to infuse a solution at a set rate; this means you
need to know the drop factor
drop factor = - ANSWER-drops per milliliter (gtt/mL; how many drips are in 1 mL)and is
stated on the package of the IV tubing (the drop factor is built into electronic pumps
because the tubing matches the pump)
IV tubing has either ___ or ___ chamber - ANSWER-microdrip or macrodrip chamber
micro drip is: - ANSWER-60 gtt/mL
macrodrip is: - ANSWER-either 10 0r 15 gtt/mL, again as stated on the tubing practice
ratios - ANSWER-comparisons between two things
proportion - ANSWER-statement saying those two ratios are equal
formula - ANSWER-rule prescribing how to calculate a dosage
dimensional analysis - ANSWER-method based on the premise that any number can be
multiplied by one without changing its value
fraction method - ANSWER-uses two equivalent proportions to find the answer
drug dose calculation:step 1: - ANSWER-conversion of numbers to the same unit of
measurement
drug dose calculation: step 2: - ANSWER-using the preferred method, write the problem
on paper; check again to confirm that your calculations are correct
4 methods by which to calculate drug dosages for nonparenteral (oral) route of
administration: - ANSWER-1. ratio and proportion method
2. formulation method
3. dimensional analysis
4. fractions
nonparenteral - ANSWER-oral
