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21.1.2015
As a nursing student you need to calculate and pass 5 exams of medication calculation (or 25
calculations in total) before you can graduate. An accomplished grade requires that all problems
are solved correctly, the calculations are made visible and the answer is clearly marked. You can
use a calculator, but NOT your mobile phone.
Remember that you have to pass your medication calculation test at least the previous semester
to be able to go out on practical training. You can check this with your teacher if you are not sure if
you need to calculate before the practical training you are going out on.
Please observe that some of the examples require that you get information about the medication
from the picture attached to be able to solve the calculation.
Prescription: Alfentanil (Rapifen®) 0,5 ml until the patient’s pain is not so bad.
Dosage calculation: The surgeon asks you to give 0,5 ml to the patient. This is not enough so
he asks you to give 0,5 ml more. This is still not enough so you give the third dose of 0,5 ml of
alfentanil.
0,5ml = 1ml
x = 1,5ml
0,5mg x 1,5ml
1ml =x
Answer: 0,75 mg
2. Background: Natalie is ill and goes to the physician. The doctor gives Natalie the of diagnose
respiratory infection. He prescribes amoxillin and asks you to give tablets to Natalie over the
weekend since the pharmacy is closed.
Doses:
Friday 1 x 750mg
Saturday 2 x 750mg
Sunday 2 x 750mg
Monday 1 x 750mg
6 x 1½ = 9 tbl
Answer: 9 tablets
3. Background: Erica is 9 years old and has an ear infection. The physician orders naproxen oral
suspension for the fever and pain. Erica weighs 30 kg.
Dosage calculation: How many millilitres of naproxen does Erica receive each time?
25mg = 1ml
300mg = x
OBSERVE! 12ml is the total dose per day, you still have to
divide it into two doses.
12ml /2 = 6ml
Prescription: You will prepare the noradrenalin-infusion by mixing 20 ml noradrenalin with 480
ml 5% glucose (G5) infusion.
Dosage calculation b: The infusion is started at the dose of 0,05 µg/kg/min. What is the
infusion rate in ml/h?
a)
noradr. 20ml + G5 480ml = 500ml
Answer a) 40mcg/ml
b)
0,05mcg/kg/min
60kg -> 60kg x 0,05mcg/kg/min = 3mcg/min (kg takes out itself)
We now have the infusion rate in mcg/min, but we want it in ml/h. We calculate or convert
one unit at a time. I will start by converting mcg to ml.
40mcg = 1ml
3mcg = x