NR 226: MED Calculation and Sample Questions
YOU MUST KNOW THE CONVERSION TABLES BEFORE STARTING TO PRACTICE
Cardinal Rules
1. ALWAYS omit terminal zeros. Answer containing terminal zeros
violate patient safety standards, and will be graded as an incorrect
notation.
For example 12.50 must be written as 12.5 in order to be considered appropriate
notation.
2. If the answer is less than 1,with no whole number before the decimal point,
ALWAYS place a zero in front of the decimal. This is a safety issue. An answer
on the test not preceded by a zero as appropriate will be graded as an
incorrect notation.
For example, .7 must be written as 0.7 in order to be considered appropriate
notation.
3. Round all answers to medication problems to the nearest tenth. Kilogram
weights should be rounded immediately, before proceeding with the
problem. Otherwise, don't round until you get to the final answer.
Answers that are not correctly rounded to the nearest tenth are graded as
incorrect.
For example, 3.25 is rounded to 3.3.
I.V. flow problems are rounded to the nearest whole drop.
For example, 33.3 is rounded to 33 gtts/drops.
CONVERSION TABLE
1. 1 kilogram (kg) = 1000 grams (g)
2. 1 gram (g) = 1000 milligrams (mg) Convert Grams to Milligrams by
Multiplying grams by 1,000 Convert Milligrams to grams by dividing
milligrams by 1,000
, 1 milligram (mg) = 1000 micrograms (mcg)
Grains (gr.) 15 = 1 Gram (g) or 1000 milligrams (mg)
To convert gram. to grain multiply by 15
To convert grain to gram divide by 15.
1 Grain (gr.) = 60 Milligrams (mg)
To convert gr. to mg multiply gr. by 60
To convert mg to gr. divide mg. by 60
1 ml = 1 cc
1 ounce = 30 ml
1 tablespoon (T or tbsp) = 15 ml
1 teaspoon (t or tsp) = 5 ml
2.2 lbs. = 1 kg
To convert pounds to kg divide pounds by 2.2
To convert kg to pounds multiply by 2.2
Know the formula: D/H x QD
D = Desired Dose
Q = Quantity of Solution
H = Strength on Hand
X = Unknown quantity of Drug
YOU MUST KNOW THE CONVERSION TABLES BEFORE STARTING TO PRACTICE
Cardinal Rules
1. ALWAYS omit terminal zeros. Answer containing terminal zeros
violate patient safety standards, and will be graded as an incorrect
notation.
For example 12.50 must be written as 12.5 in order to be considered appropriate
notation.
2. If the answer is less than 1,with no whole number before the decimal point,
ALWAYS place a zero in front of the decimal. This is a safety issue. An answer
on the test not preceded by a zero as appropriate will be graded as an
incorrect notation.
For example, .7 must be written as 0.7 in order to be considered appropriate
notation.
3. Round all answers to medication problems to the nearest tenth. Kilogram
weights should be rounded immediately, before proceeding with the
problem. Otherwise, don't round until you get to the final answer.
Answers that are not correctly rounded to the nearest tenth are graded as
incorrect.
For example, 3.25 is rounded to 3.3.
I.V. flow problems are rounded to the nearest whole drop.
For example, 33.3 is rounded to 33 gtts/drops.
CONVERSION TABLE
1. 1 kilogram (kg) = 1000 grams (g)
2. 1 gram (g) = 1000 milligrams (mg) Convert Grams to Milligrams by
Multiplying grams by 1,000 Convert Milligrams to grams by dividing
milligrams by 1,000
, 1 milligram (mg) = 1000 micrograms (mcg)
Grains (gr.) 15 = 1 Gram (g) or 1000 milligrams (mg)
To convert gram. to grain multiply by 15
To convert grain to gram divide by 15.
1 Grain (gr.) = 60 Milligrams (mg)
To convert gr. to mg multiply gr. by 60
To convert mg to gr. divide mg. by 60
1 ml = 1 cc
1 ounce = 30 ml
1 tablespoon (T or tbsp) = 15 ml
1 teaspoon (t or tsp) = 5 ml
2.2 lbs. = 1 kg
To convert pounds to kg divide pounds by 2.2
To convert kg to pounds multiply by 2.2
Know the formula: D/H x QD
D = Desired Dose
Q = Quantity of Solution
H = Strength on Hand
X = Unknown quantity of Drug
