Printable reference

Printable dosage calculation master sheet

Every formula, every conversion factor, and the per-type checklist on one page for the desk beside your problem set.

Dosage calculation master sheet

28 rows · DoseDrill · free sample: first 3 rows of each section

Dosage calculation formulas

Dosage calculation formulas - Dosage calculation master sheet. Every formula, every conversion factor, and the per-type checklist on one page for the desk beside your problem set.
FormulaExpressionWorked line
Desired over Have (D/H × Q)Amount to give = (D ÷ H) × QOrdered 500 mg; on hand 250 mg tablets. (500 ÷ 250) × 1 = 2 tablets.
IV drip rate (gtt/min)gtt/min = (Volume × Drop factor) ÷ Time (min)1000 mL over 8 hr with 15 gtt/mL tubing: (1000 × 15) ÷ 480 = 31.25 ≈ 31 gtt/min.
IV flow rate (mL/hr)mL/hr = Volume (mL) ÷ Time (hr)1000 mL over 8 hr: 1000 ÷ 8 = 125 mL/hr.

Unit conversion factors

Unit conversion factors - Dosage calculation master sheet. Every formula, every conversion factor, and the per-type checklist on one page for the desk beside your problem set.
ConversionFactorHow to apply it
Milligrams to micrograms1 mg = 1000 mcg1 mg = 1000 mcg. Multiply milligrams by 1000 (move the decimal three places right).
Micrograms to milligrams1 mcg = 0.001 mg1000 mcg = 1 mg. Divide micrograms by 1000 (move the decimal three places left).
Grams to milligrams1 g = 1000 mg1 g = 1000 mg. Multiply grams by 1000.

Problem types

Problem types - Dosage calculation master sheet. Every formula, every conversion factor, and the per-type checklist on one page for the desk beside your problem set.
Problem typeFormulaMost common mistake
Oral tabletsTablets = (Desired dose ÷ dose On hand) × Quantity per tabletInverting the fraction (dividing have by desired) - always put the unit you want on top.
Oral liquidsVolume (mL) = (Desired dose ÷ dose On hand) × Quantity (mL)Using the strength (mg) as the answer volume instead of multiplying by the mL the strength comes in.
IV drip rate (gtt/min)gtt/min = (Volume mL ÷ Time min) × Drop factor (gtt/mL)Leaving time in hours instead of converting to minutes.

Teaching conventions used throughout: 1 kg = 2.2 lb, 1 grain = 60 mg, 1 fl oz = 30 mL. Study reference only.

Every row here is also free to read in full on its own page: formula reference, conversion reference, problem-type lessons.