Drug dose information

Question 1

What are examples where drug dose calculations are required?

Answer 1

• Medications for in-patients
• Medication for patients to discharged with
• Anaesthetic induction agents
• Anaesthetic premedication
• Medications prescribed during consultations
• Dosage instructions for prescriptions

Question 2

Which units are used for drug dose calculations?

Answer 2

• Kg (weight)
• Mg
• ML
• If the standard unit have not been provided then we must convert them
• Less common: ug (micrograms), mEq (milliequivalent)

Question 3

Covert to small amount…

Answer 3

1. Grams to mg:
   5g into mg = 5 x 1000 - 5000mg
2. litres to ml:
   0.5l into ml = 0.5 x 1000 - 500ml
   M - 1000

Question 4

Convert to large amount…

Answer 4

1. ml to litres:
   50ml into litres = 50 divided by 1000 - 0.05l
2. mg into grams:
   250mg into g = 250 divided by 1000 - 0.25g
   M - 1000

Question 5

Percentage conversions…

Answer 5

1% solution - 1g in 100ml
2% solution - 2g in 100ml
3% solution - 3g in 100ml
Fast hack - X % by 10