medical math

The medication prescribed is metoclopramide hydrochloride (Reglan) 10 mg intramuscularly times one dose. The medication label reads metoclopramide hydrochloride (Reglan), 5 mg/mL. The nurse prepares how much medication to administer the dose?

Desired × mL ------------ = mL per dose Available 10 mg × 1 mL ------------ = 2 mL 5 mg

The medication prescribed is hydromorphone hydrochloride (Dilaudid), 3 mg intramuscularly, every 4 hours as needed. The medication label reads hydromorphone hydrochloride (Dilaudid), 4 mg/1 mL. The nurse should prepare to administer how many mL to the client? Fill in the blank.

Desired × mL ------------ = mL per dose Available 3 mg × 1 mL ---------- = 0.75 mL 4 mg

The medication prescribed is heparin sodium 650 units subcutaneously, every 12 hours. The medication vial reads heparin sodium 1000 units/mL. The nurse prepares how many milliliters to administer one dose?

Desired × mL ------------ = mL per dose Available 650 units × 1 mL ---------------- = 0.65 mL 1000 units

The medication prescribed is digoxin (Lanoxin), 0.25 mg orally, daily. The medication label reads digoxin (Lanoxin), 0.125 mg/tablet. The nurse should prepare how many tablet(s) to administer the dose?

Desired × tablet(s) ------------------- = tablet(s) per dose Available 0.25 mg × 1 tablet ------------------ = 2 tablets 0.125 mg

prescription reads as follows: "Ampicillin, 125 mg intramuscular every 6 hours." The medication label reads, "1 gram when reconstituted with 7.4 mL of bacteriostatic water." How many milliliters should the nurse draw up for one dose?

Rationale: Convert grams to milligrams. With the metric system, to convert larger to smaller, multiply by 1000 or move the decimal three places to the right. Then, use the medication calculation formula: 1 g = 1000 mg Formula: Desired --------- × Volume Available 125 mg ------- × 7.4 mL = 0.925 mL/dose 1000 mg Level of Cognitive Ability: Applying Client Needs: Physiological Integrity Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation Content Area: Fundamental Skills: Medication/IV Calculations