Critical_Drip_Study_Packet_revised_03_02_2009.

Critical Drip Calculations

Rounding Rules:

To round, look at the number immediately to the right of the position you wish to round to.

Round kilograms to the first decimal place.

79.45 = 79.5 kg

79.54 = 79.5 kg

Round dosages (mcg/kg/min) to the second decimal place.

5.362 = 5.36 mcg/kg/min

5.365 = 5.37 mcg/kg/min

Round infusion rates (ml/hr) to the first decimal place as well.

14.59 = 14.6 ml/hr

14.14 = 14.1 ml/hr

14.96 = 15 ml/hr

To determine weight in kilograms:

Divide the weight in pounds by 2.2

Round the answer to the first decimal place

Example:

215 lbs / 2.2 = 97.7272727272 … =

Converting:

Kilograms (kg) to grams (g):

1 kg = 1000 g

Grams to milligrams (mg):

1 g = 1000 mg

Milligrams to micrograms (mcg):

1mg = 1000 mcg

To determine drug concentration in an IV drip (mcg/ml):

Divide the amount of drug in mg by the volume of the drip in ml and then multiply by 1000 (to convert to mcg).

Example:

Determine the concentration of a dopamine drip that is mixed 800 mg in 500 ml.

800 mg/ 500 ml = 1.6 mg/ml, then 1.6 mg/ml x 1000 =