Question

Perform accurate occupational math and metric conversions for proper medication administration?

Answer 1

Yes, it is required to perform accurate occupational math and metric conversions before administering medications to the patients. Even though the nurse uses the IV pumps to administer medications it is necessary for her to verify the correct dosage by calculating before she administers the medication. Nurse should be aware of the therapeutic dosage to produce desire effect. example: Inj Dopamine at the dosage of 3-5mcg/kg/min improves the urine output wereas with the higher dosage it affects the Blood Pressure.

  Metric conversions includes grams -measurement of weight, milliliters- measurement of liquid volume. example like amount of Oral medications in milliliters or physician might have prescribed the drug in milligrams and drugs in the pharmacy may be available only in grams during this conversion we can use multiplication or division metric conversion. (1,000mg = 1g). As safe administration with correct dose is the responsibility of the nurse.