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Med safe: A quick revision of medication calculations

CPD Hours

0.5

Category

Medications
Clinical practice and procedures
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Overview

Drug calculations are an essential nursing skill. Regular practice and self-testing is required to help reinforce knowledge and prevent medication errors.

This module is part of our short module series, designed to provide a brief overview of the subject matter.

This module is on drug calculations for three types of medications: oral tablets, mixtures and solutions, and intravenous medications. As a refresher, it offers a step-by-step guide for how to undertake calculations.

You will have the opportunity to test your knowledge with the problems and solutions offered throughout.

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Learning Objective

At the end of this module participants will be able to:‍

  • Understand the formulas required to complete medication calculations for three types of medications: oral tablets, mixtures and solutions, and intravenous medications.
  • Calculate the number of oral tablets required when the prescribed dose and stock strength of a medication are known.
  • Determine the amount of a solution to administer when the prescribed dose, stock volume, and stock strength are known.
  • Calculate the infusion rate or drip rate based on the volume of medication to be given in a set period of time.
  • Understand how to determine the amount of medication to administer when weight based dosing is required.

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