, Med Calculation Guide-
po oral unit conversion
prn as needed 1kg 1000g
q_h every__hours 1g 1000mg
bid twice per day 1mg 1000mcg
tid three times per day 1mc 1000ng
Liquid and Tablet Administration
Desired Dosage Calculation - Patient Weight NOT Considered
D= desired amount (mg)
H= have available (mg)
Q= quantity (mL or tablets)
X= amount to give (mL or tablet(s))
★ D/H x Q = X
➔ Order is to give acetaminophen 80 mg po q4h prn
Medication is supplied as 160 mg/ 5 mL (drag cursor to reveal answer)
- 160mg/80mg x 5mL = 2.5 mL
➔ Order is to give LBD 500 mg po q4h prn
Medication is supplied as 0.25g/ tablet (drag cursor to reveal answer)
- 0.25g x 1000 = 250mg
- 500mg/250mg x 1 tablet = 2 tablets
Desired Dosage Calculation - Based on Patient Weight
Med order for EACH DOSE (Frequency does NOT matter)
- Ignore any bid, tid, q4h etc. in this type of question
- Prescriber gives recommended mg/kg for a medication, as well as the
patient’s weight in kg
- Round to one decimal place
a) Calculate the amount desired (D) according to weight per kilogram
po oral unit conversion
prn as needed 1kg 1000g
q_h every__hours 1g 1000mg
bid twice per day 1mg 1000mcg
tid three times per day 1mc 1000ng
Liquid and Tablet Administration
Desired Dosage Calculation - Patient Weight NOT Considered
D= desired amount (mg)
H= have available (mg)
Q= quantity (mL or tablets)
X= amount to give (mL or tablet(s))
★ D/H x Q = X
➔ Order is to give acetaminophen 80 mg po q4h prn
Medication is supplied as 160 mg/ 5 mL (drag cursor to reveal answer)
- 160mg/80mg x 5mL = 2.5 mL
➔ Order is to give LBD 500 mg po q4h prn
Medication is supplied as 0.25g/ tablet (drag cursor to reveal answer)
- 0.25g x 1000 = 250mg
- 500mg/250mg x 1 tablet = 2 tablets
Desired Dosage Calculation - Based on Patient Weight
Med order for EACH DOSE (Frequency does NOT matter)
- Ignore any bid, tid, q4h etc. in this type of question
- Prescriber gives recommended mg/kg for a medication, as well as the
patient’s weight in kg
- Round to one decimal place
a) Calculate the amount desired (D) according to weight per kilogram
