DOSAGE CALCULATION OF PARENTERAL MEDICATIONS

Course overview

MEDICATIONS ARE FREQUENTLY GIVEN VIA THE PARENTERAL ROUTE, WHICH BYPASSES THE GASTROINTESTINAL (GI) TRACT. SPECIFICALLY, THIS IS DONE BY INJECTION. WHEN A PRESCRIBED DOSAGE IS ORDERED, THE NURSE OFTEN USES CALCULATIONS TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH MEDICATION SHOULD BE INJECTED TO DELIVER THE DOSAGE. THIS COURSE PRESENTS COMMON ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF PARENTERAL MEDICATIONS, METHODS FOR CALCULATING DOSAGES, AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS WHEN THE PRESCRIBED MEDICATION IS INSULIN. IT ALSO PRESENTS PROCEDURES FOR RECONSTITUTING A POWDERED MEDICATION. THE JOINT COMMISSION AND THE INSTITUTE FOR SAFE MEDICATION PRACTICES (ISMP), HAVE IDENTIFIED MANY TYPES OF MEDICATION ORDERS THAT ARE PRONE TO MISINTERPRETATION AND ARE NOW LISTED ON THE ‘DO NOT USE LIST’ (THE JOINT COMMISSION) AND ‘NEW CONFUSED DRUG NAME LIST’ (THE ISMP).(68 MINUTES)