Systems of Measurement

and Drug Calculation

By: Bryan Mae Degorio

Objectives:
Classify unit of systems and their conversion

units.
Describe the role of the nurse in safe drug
calculations.
Perform accurate drug calculation with
specific consideration to pediatric client and
elderly.
Calculate infusion rate for intravenous fluid.

Roles of the Nurse in

Drug Calculations:
Drugs are formulated into

medicines in such a way

that most adult doses are
easily calculated and
predictable
Before calculation, it is

sensible to estimate the

dose you are likely to
require so that you know
whether your calculated
answer seems reasonable.
Dose volumes of oral liquid

medicines are typically: 520 mls for adults and 5

Crushing tablet should be

avoided wherever and

whenever possible.
Always check children's

and babies weight

carefully and make sure that
their weights are recorded in
kilogram.

If a calculation using

weight or surface area

gives an answer
equivalent to or
greater than the
normal adult dose,
reconfirm.
If you are in any

doubt about a
calculation, STOP and
contact the ward
pharmacist or on-call
pharmacist

Systems of
Measurements:
Metric System
- is a decimal
system that is logically
organized to allow
easy conversion
through multiplication
and division.
Household
measurements
- is a form of
measurement that
uses household
utensils.

Apothecary

- is a system of units use

chiefly in compounding
and dispensing liquids.

Conversions of Units
Weight

Volume

1 kg

1000 grams

1L

1000 ml

1 gram

1000 mg

1 ml

1 gram weight

1 mg

1000 microgram

1000 ml

1000 g or 1 kg

1
1000 nanogram
microgra
m
Note:
- it is essential to use the SAME UNITS in drug calculation.
You must convert the drugs doses in the calculation in the same
Mass:
units.
mcgmggkg( by 1,000 )
mcgmggkg( x by 1,000 )
lbkg( by 2.2 )
lbkg( x by 2.2 )
Volume:
mcLmLLkL( by 1,000 )
mcLmLLkL( x by 1,000 )
Time:
minhr( by 60 )
minhr( x by 60 )

Example:
Convert 5,000 mcg to mg.
mcgmggkg( by 1,000 )
5,000 mcg 1,000 = 5 mg
Example:
Convert 44 lb to kg.
lbkg( by 2.2 )
44 lb 2.2 = 20 kg
Example:
Convert 0.003 L to mcL.
mcLmLLkL( x by 1,000 )
0.003 L x 1,000 = 3 mL
3 mL x 1,000 = 3,000 mcL
Example:
Convert 5 hours to
minutes.
minhr( x by 60 )
5 hr x 60 = 300 min

Dosage Calculations
General Formula
Tablets
Fluids
volumes

Dose/Stock Dose= # of tables

Dose Prescribes/Stock dose X Stock

1. Metroprolol (Lopressor), 25 mg PO, is ordered. Metropolol is

available as 50 mg tablets. How many tablets would the nurse
administer?
2. Potassium chloride is available as 10 mg per tablet. Potassium
Chloride (K-Dur), 40 mg, is ordered. How many tablets would the
Exercises:
nurse administer?
a. 200 mg trimethropin required. Stock dose= 100 mg
b. 100 mg chlorpromazine required. Stock = 25 mg tablets
c. 10 mg diazepam elixir required. Stock dose = 5 mg/5ml
d. 1. 2 augmentin required. Stock dose = 600 mg tablets
e. 240 mg paracetamol elixir required. Stock dose = 120 mg/5 ml
f. 50 mg morphine elixir required. Stock dose= 10 mg/5ml
g. 40 mg pethidine required. Stock ampule= 50 mg/ml
h. 6 mg morphine is required. Stock ampule= 10 mg/ml
i. Heparin 2000 units required. Stock ampule= 5000 units/ml

IV Fluids Calculations
gtts: drops
Drop Factor: Number of

drops per volume of IV

Flow Rate: Measure of
fluid. Varies depending
the flow of liquid from
on the tubing used.
an IV.
Usually measured in
gtts/mL.
a. gtts/minute (how many
Common drop factors:
drops are released
a. 10 gtts/ml blood
every minute)
set
b. mL/hour (how many mL
b. 15 gtts/mlflow through each
macroset
hour).
c. 60 gtts/mlmicroset

Calculating Fluid
Requirements:
Weight
Range

Required Daily Fluid

0-10 kg

100 mL per kg

10-20 kg

1,000 mL + 50 mL per each kg above

10 kg

20-70 kg

1,500 mL + 20 mL per each kg above

20 kg

Over 70 kg

2,500 mL (adult requirement)

Percentage Concentration

Concentration in % X Volume (ml) = dosage amount in

grams
100
IV Drop Rate
Volume (ml) X Drop factors = gtts/min
Time (minutes)
Examples:
1. Calculate the amount of dextrose in 1000 mL D5W.
2. Calculate the amount of sodium chloride in 2000 mL NS.
Recall NS is 0.9% NaCl (sodium chloride)
3. Infuse 250 mL over the next 120 minutes by infusion pump.
4. Ordered 1000 mL D5W IV to infuse in 10 hours by infusion pump.
5. Calculate the IV flow rate for 1200 mL of NS to be infused in 6 hours.
The infusion set is calibrated for a drop factor of 15 gtts/mL.
6. Calculate the IV flow rate for 200 mL of 0.9% NaCl IV over 120
minutes. Infusion set has drop factor of 20 gtts/mL.

Young's Rule
Youngs Rule uses age.
(which makes it easier to
remember, the word young refers
to age)
Here is the formula:
Dosage based on weight
Adult Dose X (Age (Age+12))
= Child's Dose
Often drugs are prescribed

Pediatric Calculations
based on an adults or
Childs' weight. However,
you must pay close
attention to whether the
dosage has been
prescribed per Kg or Lbs.
Example:
132 Lb woman is prescribed
Acyclovir 5mg/kg

First convert Lbs. to Kg

(132 2.2) = 60kg
The prescription calls for
5mg per kg
60 x 5mg = 300mg

Example: 11 year old girl / 70 Lbs

500mg X (11 (11+12)) =
Child's Dose
500mg X (11 23) = Child's
Dose
500mg X .48 = Child's Dose
Child's Dose = 240mg

Clark's Rule
Clark's Rule uses Weight in Lbs,
NEVER in Kg.
Here is the formula:
Adult Dose X (Weight 150) =
Childs Dose
Example
11 year old girl / 70 Lbs
500mg X (70 150) = Child's
Dose

Fried's rule
Is a method of estimating
the dose of medication for
a child by dividing the
child's age in months by
150 and multiplying the
result by the adult dose.

500mg X ( 0.47 )= Child's Dose

500mg X 0.47 = 235mg
Child's Dose = 235Mg

Pediatric dose = child's age in

months
150 x Adult
Dose