COMPUTATION OF DRUG DOSAGE
Convertion Table
Metric Measurements Household Measurements to Metric
SOLIDS Measurements
1 milligram (mg) = 1,000 micrograms (mcg) 1 teaspoon (tsp) = 5 ml
1 gram(g) = 1,000 mg 1 tablespoon (tbs) = 15 ml
1 kilogram (kg) = 1,000 g 1 once (oz) = 30 ml
LIQUIDS 2 tbs = 30 ml
1 milliliter (ml) = 1 cubic centimeter (cc) 1 oz = 30 g
1 ml = 1,000 microliters (mcl) 1 pound (lb) = 1 kg
1cc = 1,000 mcl 1 inch = 2.54 centimeter (cm)
1 liter (L) = 1,000 ml
1 L = 1,000 cc
DxQ=q
S
Where: D – desired dose
S – stock dose
Q – quantity of the solution or amount of the diluent used
q / x – amount to be given to the patient
1. Oral Medications
a. Solids
Tranexamic acid 250 mg 1 tab q 6 hr PRN
Stock dose: 500mg/tab
Solution:
D=q
S
250 mg =.5 ½ tablet
500 mg
Interpretation: Give ½ tablet of tranexamic acid q 6 hr as needed
b..Liquid
Stock:Paracetamol(Tempra) drops 100mg/5ml ;
Order : give 40 mg of Paracetamol drops q 4 hrs
Solution:
DxQ=x
S
40 mg x 5 ml = 40 mg(5 ml) = 200 = 2 ml
100 mg 100 mg 100
Interpretation: Give 2 ml of Paracetamol (tempra) drops q 4 hrs
II.Parenteral
a. Solid (Powder Drug)
Ampicillin 250 mg IV q 6 hr
Stock Available: 500 mg
Dilution: 5 ml
Solution:
DxQ=x
S
250 mg x 5 ml = 1250 = 2.5 ml
500 mg 500
Interpretation: Administer 2.5 ml of ampiillin IV q 6 hr
Ketorolac 5 gm IV q 6 hr
Stock available in an ampule;10 mg/ ml
Solution:
DxQ=x
S
5 mg x 1 ml = 5= 0.5 ml
10 mg 10
Interpretation: Administer 0.5 ml of Ketorolac IV q 6 hr
2. IVF Computation
DRIP FACTOR – function of the infusion set being used
Standard Drip Rate: Macro (Adult) – 15 gtts / ml
Micro (Pedia) – 60 gtts / ml
IV Tubing: Cutter macro – 20 gtts / ml
Abbott macro – 15 gtts / ml
Baxter macro – 10 gtts / ml
Gtts / min = Total volume of infusion in ml x drip factor = flow rate
Duration of infusion x 60 minutes
Start D5LRS 1L x 8 hrs Patient: 25 yrs old
Gtts / min = 1000 ml x 15gtt/ml = 15000 = 31.25-32 gtt/min
8 hrs x 60 minutes 480
Start BMMS 500 cc x 8 hrs Patient: 10 yrs old
Gtts / min = 500 ml x 60gtt/ml = 30,000 = 62-63 gtt/min
8 hrs x 60 minutes 480
Flow Rate
cc / hr =total volume to be infuse
total number of hours
A. D5IMB 1 L x 8 hrs
Solution:
cc / hr =total volume to be infuse = 1000 ml = 125ml/hr
total number of hours 8 hrs
B. PNSS 1 L x 6 hrs
Solution:
cc / hr =total volume to be infuse = 1000 ml = 166.6ml/hr
total number of hours 6 hrs
Determining # of Hours
HR =total volume x gtt factor
drop rate X 60 min
Infuse 1L of 5 % NaCl at 20 gtt/min Patient: 43 yrs old
HR =total volume x gtt factor
drop rate X 60 min
HR =1000 x 15 gtt/min =15000 =12.5 hours
20 gtt/minX 60 min 1,200
Infuse 500mlPLRS at 40 gtt/min Patient: 13 yrs old
HR =total volume x gtt factor
drop rate X 60
HR =500 x 60 gtt/min =30,000 =12.5 hours
40 gtt/minX 60 2,400
Determining Rate per Minute
X =flow rate
60 min
Based on the Formula Flow Rate B. problem
If the Flow rate of an IVF is 166.6 ml/hr, compute the ml/min
X =flow rate =166.6 ml =2.7ml/min
60 min 1hr(60 min)
/dxv
3. Dosage Calculation for Children
Clark’s Rule – (for children over 2 years old)
Based on the Body weight only
Used for children over age of 2 yrs old
With this rule, the younger the child, the less accurate the dose
Child’s Dose = weight of the child in pounds x adult dose
150 lbs (average adult weight)
Problem: the AD of Penicillin Na is 250 mg. Calculate the dose of Penicillin Na
for a 50 lbs. child
Child’s Dose = weight of the child in pounds x adult dose
150 lbs (average adult weight)
= 50 lbs x 250 mg =50(250) =12,500 =83.33 mg
150 lbs 150 150
Young’s Rule – (for children over one year) 1 to 12 years old
Based on the childs age only
Child’s Dose = . child’s age in years . x average adult dose
child’s age in years + 12
Problem: Find the dosage for a 3 yrs old child when the AD of
Diphenhydramine is 50 mg
Child’s Dose = . child’s age in years . x average adult dose
child’s age in years + 12
= 3 yrs x 5\0 mg =3(50) = 10 mg
150 months 150
Fried’s Rule – (for infants) Less than 1 year
Based on the child’s age only
Usually used to verify dosage for children under age 1 yr old
Infant’s Dose = child’s age in months x adult dose
150 months
Problem: Find the dosage for a 1 yrs old child when the AD of
Diphenhydramine is 50mg.
Infant’s Dose = child’s age in months x adult dose
150 months
= 12 months x 50 mg = 12(50) 600 =4 mg
150 months 150 150
“We are what we repeatedly do;
excellence then is not an act,
but a habit…. (Aristotle)
jogm 9\20/17
