Calculating Medication Dosages (00:50)

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Oral medications are the most frequently prescribed medications and often supplied in unit dose. Nurses must know how to calculate oral and parenteral medications and ensure safe delivery of topical, ophthalmic, otic, vaginal, rectal, and inhalant medications.

Calculating Oral Dosages (03:43)

Oral medications require more time for absorption; forms include tablets, capsules, caplets, and liquids. Considerations include the patient's ability to swallow, aspiration and choking risks, whether a medication can be crushed or divided, and more. Calculate the proportion of the unit.

Calculating Liquid Medications (01:54)

When appropriate, crush oral medications and add to a semi-liquid food or dissolve in a liquid for administration. Determine the volume of liquid that contains the prescribed dosage using a cup, calibrated dropper, or a syringe.

Calculating Parenteral Dosages (03:58)

Delivery routes include intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intradermal; intravenous medications are effective almost immediately. Parenteral medications can be packaged in several forms; learn about three types of syringes.

Calculating Pediatric Dosage (02:55)

Accuracy is critical with pediatric patients; harmful dosage events are three times higher than those for adults. Follow several guidelines when making dosage calculations; choose the method most comfortable for you. Use the ratio and proportion method to convert a child's weight from pounds to kilograms.

Credits: Basic Math for Nurses: Calculating Oral, Parenteral, and Pediatric Dosages (2021 edition) (00:34)

Credits: Basic Math for Nurses: Calculating Oral, Parenteral, and Pediatric Dosages (2021 edition)