DOSAGE CALCULATIONS SELF STUDY MODULE
NURS 325/326 Dosage Calculation Learning Module –
Fundamentals of Nursing
, 2
DOSAGE CALCULATIONS SELF STUDY MODULE
Dosage Calculations
Self-Study Module
School
, 3
DOSAGE CALCULATIONS SELF STUDY MODULE
Instructions
This clinical dosage calculations module is designed to assist you in preparing for
your Fundamentals of Nursing course. Safe dosage calculations and administration are an
essential part of the role of the nurse in professional practice. Please review the module
and complete the practice problems. An answer key is included for each section so that
you can check your accuracy. Then, complete and submit the post-test after you have
studied the module. You must successfully complete a medication calculation exam
during each of your clinical courses.
Below are the Department of Prelicensure Nursing Universal Dosage Calculations
Instructions:
Directions:
Solve the following calculation problems. Only answers in the space provided for each
question will be graded. No partial credit will be given.
The answer must be labeled in correct units/terms. An incorrectly labeled or unlabeled
answer is considered incorrect.
You must show your formulas and calculations.
The Department of Prelicensure Nursing employs standard Systems International (SI)
conversions and does not estimate.
Round all answers to the appropriate level of significance:
• Pediatrics: round mg down to nearest hundredth; round milliliters down to nearest
tenth for oral dosing. Round IV pump rates down to nearest hundredth. Intake and
output and gtts/ml flow rates are expressed in whole numbers.
• All other courses: round mg to nearest hundredth; round milliliters to nearest tenth
for oral dosing. Round IV pump rates to nearest hundredth. Intake and output and
gtts/ml flow rates are expressed in whole numbers.
• Weight-based calculations:
Kilogram weights should be rounded immediately to the hundredths,
before proceeding with the problem.
One milliliter syringes are available (if needed) and all tablets are scored.
Objectives
After completing this module, the learner will be able to
, 4
DOSAGE CALCULATIONS SELF STUDY MODULE
1. Recite the units of measure used in the metric system and the household system.
2. Convert units of measure within each system.
3. Convert units of measure between the two systems of measure.
4. Accurately add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions.
5. Round values to the ones, tenths, hundredths and thousandths places.
6. Correctly define abbreviations commonly used in medication orders.
7. Correctly identify prohibited abbreviations formerly used in medication orders.
8. Accurately identify parts of a medication label.
9. Compute medication dosages using the ratio and proportion method, formula
method, solving for x, and dimensional analysis.
10. Calculate IV infusion flow rates in mL per hour.
11. Calculate IV infusion drop rates using a formula.
12. Compute dosages based on weight.
13. Identify safe and unsafe dosages based on safe dosage ranges.
14. Accurately calculate intake and output using metric conversions.
I. FRACTIONS
A. Definition: A fraction is a portion of a whole number. A fraction
has 2 parts, the top is the numerator and the bottom number is the
denominator.
Example: ½ = 1 is the numerator and 2 is the denominator.
B. Adding Fractions:
NURS 325/326 Dosage Calculation Learning Module –
Fundamentals of Nursing
, 2
DOSAGE CALCULATIONS SELF STUDY MODULE
Dosage Calculations
Self-Study Module
School
, 3
DOSAGE CALCULATIONS SELF STUDY MODULE
Instructions
This clinical dosage calculations module is designed to assist you in preparing for
your Fundamentals of Nursing course. Safe dosage calculations and administration are an
essential part of the role of the nurse in professional practice. Please review the module
and complete the practice problems. An answer key is included for each section so that
you can check your accuracy. Then, complete and submit the post-test after you have
studied the module. You must successfully complete a medication calculation exam
during each of your clinical courses.
Below are the Department of Prelicensure Nursing Universal Dosage Calculations
Instructions:
Directions:
Solve the following calculation problems. Only answers in the space provided for each
question will be graded. No partial credit will be given.
The answer must be labeled in correct units/terms. An incorrectly labeled or unlabeled
answer is considered incorrect.
You must show your formulas and calculations.
The Department of Prelicensure Nursing employs standard Systems International (SI)
conversions and does not estimate.
Round all answers to the appropriate level of significance:
• Pediatrics: round mg down to nearest hundredth; round milliliters down to nearest
tenth for oral dosing. Round IV pump rates down to nearest hundredth. Intake and
output and gtts/ml flow rates are expressed in whole numbers.
• All other courses: round mg to nearest hundredth; round milliliters to nearest tenth
for oral dosing. Round IV pump rates to nearest hundredth. Intake and output and
gtts/ml flow rates are expressed in whole numbers.
• Weight-based calculations:
Kilogram weights should be rounded immediately to the hundredths,
before proceeding with the problem.
One milliliter syringes are available (if needed) and all tablets are scored.
Objectives
After completing this module, the learner will be able to
, 4
DOSAGE CALCULATIONS SELF STUDY MODULE
1. Recite the units of measure used in the metric system and the household system.
2. Convert units of measure within each system.
3. Convert units of measure between the two systems of measure.
4. Accurately add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions.
5. Round values to the ones, tenths, hundredths and thousandths places.
6. Correctly define abbreviations commonly used in medication orders.
7. Correctly identify prohibited abbreviations formerly used in medication orders.
8. Accurately identify parts of a medication label.
9. Compute medication dosages using the ratio and proportion method, formula
method, solving for x, and dimensional analysis.
10. Calculate IV infusion flow rates in mL per hour.
11. Calculate IV infusion drop rates using a formula.
12. Compute dosages based on weight.
13. Identify safe and unsafe dosages based on safe dosage ranges.
14. Accurately calculate intake and output using metric conversions.
I. FRACTIONS
A. Definition: A fraction is a portion of a whole number. A fraction
has 2 parts, the top is the numerator and the bottom number is the
denominator.
Example: ½ = 1 is the numerator and 2 is the denominator.
B. Adding Fractions:
