Essentials Midterm Study Guide
Calculate with Confidence
Equivalents to remember:

1 ounce (oz)= 30 mL
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1 tablespoon (T or tbs)= 15 mL
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2 tablespoons (T or tbs)= 30 mL= 1 oz
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1 teaspoon (t or tsp)= 5 mL
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1 cup= 240 mL= 8 oz
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1 pint (pt)= 500 mL= 16 oz
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1 quart (qt)= 1,000 mL= 32 oz
1.
Identify forms of oral medication.
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Tablets- preparations of powdered medications that have been molded into various sizes and shapes a) Caplets- elongated shape and is coated for ease of swallowing (ex.
Tylenol) b) Scored tablets- designed to administer a dosage that is less than what is available in a single tablet. Have indentations or markings that allow you to break the tablet into halves or quarters. c) Enteric-coated tablets- have special coating that protects them from the effects of gastric secretions and prevents them from dissolving in the stomach. Dissolved and absorbed in intestines. NEVER CRUSH.
(ex. Iron tablets) d) Sublingual tablets- designed to be placed under the tongue, where they dissolve in saliva. Should never be swallowed: prevent them from achieving their desired effect. (ex. Nitroglycerin) e) Layered tablets- one or more medications can be released immediately from the coating, whereas the same or other medications can be released on a sustained basis from the tablet core.
Incompatible ingredients may be separated and released at different times as the tablet passes through GI tract. (ex. Ambien CR) f) Film tab- tablet sealed with film. Helps protect stomach. (ex. Biaxin: clarithromyocin) g) Timed- released and extended-release tablets: not released immediately but released over a period of time at specific intervals.
NEVER CRUSH, CHEW, or BREAK. Swallow whole. (ex.
Procardia)

Capsules- contains a powder, liqiuid, or oil enclosed in a hard or soft gelatin.
Available as timed release, sustained release, and spansules and work over a period of time. Always administered whole. Examples are ampicillin, tetracycline, and Lenoxicaps.


Liquid medications- desirable for clients who have dysphagia or those who are receiving medications through various types of tubes or jejunostomy.
Also desired for use in young children, infants, and elderly clients. a) Elixir- alcohol solution that is sweet and aromatic (ex. Phenobarbital elixir) b) Suspension- one or more medications finely divided into liquid such as water (ex. Penicillin suspension) c) Syrup- medication dissolved in concentrated solution of sugar and water (ex. Colace)
2.
Identify the terms on the medication label to be used in calculation of dosages

What type of oral medication it is.
 mg in each pill
3.
Calculate dosages for oral and liquid medication using ratio and proportion, formula method, or dimensional analysis.

Chp. 17
4.
Apply principles learned concerning tablet and liquid preparations to obtain a rational answer.

Chp. 17
5.
Calculate dosages of parenteral medication already in solution.

Chp. 18
6.
Identify essential information to be placed on vial of a medication after it is reconstituted.

Date and time prepared.
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Initials of preparer.
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Dosage strength (if multichoice/multiple strengths)
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Date and time of expiration
7.
Determine the best concentration strength for medications ordered when there are several directions for mixing.
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Will be on label or a package insert
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Choose the concentration or dosage strength that comes closest to what the prescriber ordered. The dosage strengths are given for the amount of diluent used. a) Example: If the prescriber orders 300,000 units of a particular medication IM, and the choices of strength are 200,000 units per mL,
250,000 units per mL, and 500,000 units per mL, the closest strength would be 250,000 units per mL.

The smaller the amount of diluent used to reconstitute the medication, the more concentrated the resulting solution will be. Consider the route of administration.

8.
Identify the varying directions for reconstitution and select the correct directions to prepare the dosage ordered.

Consider route of administration a) IM: when a choice of strengths can be made, do not choose an amount that would exceed the amount allowed for IM administration or one that is very concentrated. b) IV: keep in mind that this medication is usually further diluted because one reconstituted, the medication is them placed in additional fluid of 50 to 100 mL or more.

See #7 about concentration or dosage strength
9.
Calculate dosages from reconstituted medications.

Chp. 19
10.
Measure combined insulin dosages (calculate an accurate dose of insulin using a sliding scale.)

N-R-R-N a) Inject air into NPH b) Inject air into Regular c) Draw up Regular d) Draw up NPH
 The sliding scale indicated a certain dosage of insulin based on the client’s blood glucose level. A coverage order specifies the dosage of insulin according to the blood sugar level and the frequency. a) Regular insulin is used because of its immediate action and short duration.