Unlocking the Mysteries of Medication Dosage :
A Nursing Student ’ s Guide
By Layota Smith
The start of the semester brings the feared dosage calculation exam , which is a crucial hurdle that must be cleared in order to provide safe care at the bedside . But don ’ t fret . I ’ m ready to guide you through the not-so-scary world of medication dosage calculations . Today , we ’ re going to break down two essential methods that you need to master as a nursing student : the formula method and dimensional analysis . Don ’ t worry , I ’ ll walk you through each step by step , so grab your calculators , and let ’ s get started !
Understanding the Formula Method
Why Use the Formula Method ?
First off , let ’ s talk about the formula method . It ’ s a straightforward , tried-and-true approach that helps ensure you ’ re giving your patients the right amount of medicine . Precision is key in our field , and this method is all about getting those numbers right .
Breaking It Down
The formula method uses a basic formula :
Desired Dose = ( Doctor ’ s Order /
40 NSNA Imprint
Stock Strength ) × Stock Amount
Here ’ s how it breaks down :
Doctor ’ s Order : The amount of medication the doctor has prescribed .
Stock Strength : The concentration of the medication you have on hand .
Stock Amount : The form or amount in which the medication is supplied .
Sounds simple enough , right ? Let ’ s dive a little deeper .
Step 1 : Identify What You Need
Start with the doctor ’ s order . This is the amount of medication your patient needs . For example , if the order says 50 mg of Amoxicillin , that ’ s your target .
Step 2 : Know Your Stock
Check your medication stock . How is your Amoxicillin supplied ? Let ’ s say it ’ s in a bottle labeled 100 mg / 2 mL .
Step 3 : Plug and Chug
Now , plug these numbers into the formula . It would look like this :
Desired Dose = ( 50mg / 100mg ) × 2mL = 1 mL
So , you would draw up 1 mL of Amoxicillin to meet the doctor ’ s order of 50 mg .
Tips for Formula Method Success
Pro Tip 1 : your need and have should match !
Pro Tip 1 : only do what the question asks you to do ( Smith , 2020 ).
Mastering Dimensional Analysis Why Dimensional Analysis ?
Now , let ’ s shift gears to dimensional analysis . This method is fantastic because it checks your dosage calculations .
How to Approach Dimensional Analysis
Dimensional analysis might seem a bit more complex , but once you get the hang of it , it ’ s a breeze . Let ’ s look at the same scenario with Amoxicillin .
Here is how you set up a dimensional analysis problem :