Dosage Calculation

2005 by National Healthcare Group. All rights reserved.

Objectives

Unit of measurement for delivery of intravenous medicines

Percent solution

Common formulas used in drug dosage calculation and flow rate calculation

Units of Measurement

1) International system of units or metric system gram(gm) is the basic unit of weight litre(L) is the basic unit for fluid mole(mole) is the basic unit of substance

Units of Measurement

2) a. International units(IU) example : Insulin expressed in units per mL

2) b. Milli (m) is a prefix denoting one thousandth of a unit example : 1 litre = 1000ml (millilitre)

Units of Measurement

2) c.

Microgram (mcg/ug) is a prefix denoting one millionth of a gram example: 1gm (gram) = 1000mg (milligram) = 1000 000 (microgram)

3) d.

Mega (M) is a prefix denoting one million unit example: 1 MU is a prefix denoting one million unit

Metric Conversion

To convert grams to milligrams, multiply by 1000 or move the decimal point 3 places to the right e.g. 1 g = 1000mcg or 1 0 0 0. To convert milligrams to grams, divide by 1000 or mover the decimal point 3 places to the left 1000mcg = 1mg or 1. 0 0 0 = 1mg

Metric Conversion

To convert micrograms to milligrams, divide by 1000 or move the decimal point three places to the left. e.g 1000mcg = 1mg or 1000/1000 =1 mg or 1. 0 0 0

Conversion
= = = = ___ mg ___ g ___ mcg ___ mg

Convert the following:

a. b. c. d.

1.5g 25mg 0.05mg 21000mcg

Conversion
= = = = 1500 mg 0.025 g 50 mcg 21 mg

Convert the following:

a. b. c. d.

1.5g 25mg 0.05mg 21000mcg

Well done !!

Percent solution

Percent solution is the relationship between the amount of solute and the total quantity of solution is expressed percentage or ratio

Percent solution

Percentage strength of solution may be calculated in one of the three ways 1. Percent weight/weight (W/W) is the weight of the solute (drug) compared to weight of the solution - (g drug/100g solution)

Percent solution

2. Percent weight in volume (W/V) is the weight of

the solute (drug) compared to the volume of the total solution

-(g drug/100mL solution)

example : 5% Dextrose means 5gms of dextrose in 100mL of solution

Example

Calculate the weight of 15% dextrose in 500ml of solution

Dextrose 15% is equivalent to 15g/100ml If there are 500ml, the amount is 15 X 500 = 75g of dextrose in 500ml 100

Percent solution

3. Percent volume in volume (V/V) is the volume of the solute compared to the total solution - (mL drug/100mL solution)

Drug dosage calculation

Drug dosage can be calculated using ratio and proportion or using formula. This formula is to calculate amount of medication in solution for oral IM, IV and SC to be administered when given a dosage, stock and volume

example: Desired dose x Stock Vol Stock dose

Drug dosage calculation

Ordered Amoxil suspension 500 mg p.o/6 hourly. Supply Amoxil 250 mg in 5 ml. How much would you give?

Required dose = 500 mg Stock Dose = 250 mg Stock Volume = 5 ml 500mg/250mg X 5ml = 10 ml

Calculating drug dosage

If heparin solution is 25000 units/5ml, and Dr ordered 10000 unit. How much of the solution will you withdraw?

Use formula : desired dose x vol stock dose 5ml

10000 IU X 25000 IU

= 2 ml of heparin

Calculating drug concentration

Concentration of the drug is the amount of the drug in 1ml of solution. To calculate the concentration of the drug, use the formula: dose volume use proportion

Or

Calculating drug concentration

Example: if you dilute Rocephine 1 gm in 100ml of normal saline 0.9% injection, what is the concentration?

To calculate by proportion e.g. 100ml = 1000mg 1ml = X mg Therefore 1ml = 1000mg/100ml = 10mg 1 ml = 10 mg Dosage/Volume 1000mg/100ml 10mg/ml

To calculate by formula

Drug dosage calculation

If you take 25000 unit/5ml of heparin and dilute it in 500ml of normal saline 0.9% solution

a. What is the concentration of the solution ? b. How do you prepare this solution ? c. Dr ordered 6000 unit 6 hourly, what is the rate of infusion per 1 hour ?

Take few minutes to

Work out the

answer

Drug dosage calculation

a.

What is the concentration ? 25000 units/ 500ml 50 units/ml

b. How to prepare the solution ?

There are 5ml per 25000units Draw up 5ml of heparin then add to 500ml of normal saline 0.9%

Drug dosage calculation

a.

Dr ordered 6000 units 6 hourly, what is the rate of infusion per 1 hour ? The concentration (stock) is 50 units per ml use formula of Desired dose x Vol of solution stock dose = 6000unit X 1ml 50unit = 120 ml over 6 hours = 120ml/6hours = 20 ml / hour

Drug dosage calculation

EXAMPLE 2 : Constitute dopamine 200mg in 150ml of normal saline 0.9% . Patient body weight is 50 kg. Doctor ordered 2 mcg/kg/min.

a. b. c.

TRY THIS What is the concentration of the drug? TAKE 2 MINS TO CALCULATE What is the dosage to be delivered per hour? THIS SUM Calculate the rate of administration for dpomine infusion per hour.

WELL DONE !!! You have got it correct

a. Concentration of dopamine is calculated using formula : dosage / volume 200mg/150ml = 1.3mg/ml

b. Dosage to be delivered over an hour is = 2mcg x 50kg x 60mins = 6000mcg/hr = 6mg/hr

c.

If the concentration is 1.3mg/ml, the rate for delivery is calculated as desired dose x volume stock dose 6mg/hr X 1 ml 1.3mg = 4.6ml / hr

Calculating flow rate

Flow rate calculations require the following information : Amount of solution to be infused (volume) Duration of the administration (time) Drop factor of the set to be used Volume X drop factors Time in minutes

formula :

Calculating flow rate

Question: 1 gm of rocephine is diluted in 100ml of normal saline 0.9% . It is to be delivered over 1 hours through a burette with 20 drops /ml. Calculate the flow rate. 100ml X 20drops/ml 60mins = 33 drops/mins

Go to unit 2 of calculation module. Attempt all the questions in this module.