Dosage Calculation

From The Critics

Reviewer: Nancy Fairchild, RN, MS, CAES(Boston College School of Nursing)
Description: This is the third edition of a self-mastery dosage calculation manual that uses a single method of problem solving appropriate for all medication calculation. Coverage of all types of medication and IV fluid calculations is included. Drugs used in critical care setting including those administered according to micrograms per kilogram per minute and drugs used in pediatric settings based on milligrams per kilogram are extensively detailed. Drug dosages based on body surface area of the client are also presented. The text has more than 500 dose calculation problems and a computer self-paced tutorial program. There is a new chapter on the nurse's role in the administration of drugs and the nurse's legal responsibilities.
Purpose: The purpose of this book is to present a single method of problem solving that is applicable to all types of medication and intravenous fluid calculations.
Audience: It is designed for students and practitioners of nursing.
Features: Unique to this manual is the use of dimensional analysis (factor-label) method to solve medication problems that require calculation. Dimensional analysis has been widely used in science education at the secondary and collegiate level and is a refinement of the ratio/proportion method. It builds on simple arithmetic skills that are reviewed in the first chapter of the text. A self-paced student tutorial computer program (UNICALC) is also included.
Assessment: This easy-to-use manual requires mastery of the two chapters on problem solving using dimensional analysis before proceeding to the other chapters. Once mastery is obtained, any sequence of study can then be used. Using just one method to solve all medication calculations facilitates the ease of calculating drug dosages. The computer-friendly UNICALC program contains 60 additional exercises and is helpful to the student in identifying areas that require additional study. The case studies and critical decision point scenarios are also very useful in increasing critical thinking skills and assessing the learner's understanding of medication preparation and administration. The nurse's role in the administration of medications and her or his legal responsibilities are emphasized throughout the text.

Nancy Fairchild

This is the third edition of a self-mastery dosage calculation manual that uses a single method of problem solving appropriate for all medication calculation. Coverage of all types of medication and IV fluid calculations is included. Drugs used in critical care setting including those administered according to micrograms per kilogram per minute and drugs used in pediatric settings based on milligrams per kilogram are extensively detailed. Drug dosages based on body surface area of the client are also presented. The text has more than 500 dose calculation problems and a computer self-paced tutorial program. There is a new chapter on the nurse's role in the administration of drugs and the nurse's legal responsibilities. The purpose of this book is to present a single method of problem solving that is applicable to all types of medication and intravenous fluid calculations. It is designed for students and practitioners of nursing. Unique to this manual is the use of dimensional analysis (factor-label) method to solve medication problems that require calculation. Dimensional analysis has been widely used in science education at the secondary and collegiate level and is a refinement of the ratio/proportion method. It builds on simple arithmetic skills that are reviewed in the first chapter of the text. A self-paced student tutorial computer program (UNICALC) is also included. This easy-to-use manual requires mastery of the two chapters on problem solving using dimensional analysis before proceeding to the other chapters. Once mastery is obtained, any sequence of study can then be used. Using just one method to solve all medication calculations facilitates the ease of calculatingdrug dosages. The computer-friendly UNICALC program contains 60 additional exercises and is helpful to the student in identifying areas that require additional study. The case studies and critical decision point scenarios are also very useful in increasing critical thinking skills and assessing the learner's understanding of medication preparation and administration. The nurse's role in the administration of medications and her or his legal responsibilities are emphasized throughout the text.

4 Stars! from Doody