Calculating Drug Dosages: A Patient-Safe Approach to Nursing and Math / Edition 2

by Sandra Luz Martinez de Castillo RN, MA, EdD, Maryanne Werner-McCullough RN, MS, MNP

Overview

Master math concepts. Ensure patient safety. Prevent medication errors.
Help students conquer their fears and understand the most common math concepts used in nursing practice today. Color-coded, step-by-step guidance shows students how to accurately calculate drug dosages using all four methods. They’ll begin with a basic math assessment and then explore in-depth coverage of complex topics, including intake and output, parenteral intake, NG tube feeding strength, and labeling IVs.
 
Build confidence with thousands of practice questions in the text and online at FADavis.com. An access code inside new, printed texts unlocks the tools for course success.
 
Makes medical math easy to understand. “Wow this book has been a lifesaver throughout nursing school for dummies like me who aren’t so great at math. Highly recommend if you’re in nursing school or any profession that requires you to calculate drug dosages. Also this book isn’t just the math portion....It teaches you about the basic things about the drugs, drug information, safety, how to read the labels, etc.”—IT, Online Reviewer
 
“The text Calculating Drug Dosages is very helpful in teaching dimensional analysis. I was able to help 4th semester students with their clinical drug test achieve 100% with the examples in the book! I would recommend this text for beginning and advanced RN students.” —Pamela Vogel, RN, MSN, WHNP, Fresno City College
 

• New! Basic Math Appendix reviewing decimals and fractions
• New! Next Generation NCLEX® (NGN)-style questions and more practice problems in the book and online to promote the development of clinical judgment
• Updated! Drug labels and excerpts from drug references that apply to the calculation of dosages

• Coverage of the four major calculation methods—linear ratio and proportion, fractional ratio and proportion, dimensional analysis, and the formula method.
• In-depth coverage of complex topics, including intake and output, parenteral intake, NG tube feeding strength, and labeling IVs.
• Detailed photographs and illustrations with precise descriptions on how to analyze equipment and understand medication labels.
• Drug information from Davis’s Drug Guide for Nurses®

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781719641227
Publisher:	F.A. Davis Company
Publication date:	10/13/2020
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	600
Sales rank:	156,011
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 10.80(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Professor Emeritus, Contra Costa College Nursing Program, San Pablo, CA

Professor Emeritus, Contra Costa College Nursing Program, San Pablo, CA

Table of Contents

I.Safety in Medication Administration
1.Safety in Medication Administration
2.The Drug Label
Unit Review

II.Systems of Measurement
3.The Metric System
4.The Household System
Unit Review

III.Methods of Calculation
5.Linear Ratio and Proportion
6.Fractional Ratio and Proportion
7.Dimensional Analysis
8.Formula Method
Unit Review

IV.Administration of Medications
9.Calculating Oral Medication Doses
10.Syringes and Needles
11.Calculating Parenteral Medication Dosages
12.Preparing Powdered Parenteral Medications
13.Administration of Insulin
Unit Review

V.IV Therapy and Administration of Intravenous Medications
14.Intravenous Infusion and Infusion Rates
15.Calculating Infusion and Completion Time
16.Administering IV Push Medications
Unit Review

VI.Verifying Safe Dose and Critical Care Calculations
17.Verifying Safe Dose
18.Titration of Intravenous Medications
Unit Review

VII.Intake and Output
19.Calculating Intake and Output
20.Parenteral Intake
Unit Review

VIII.Dosages for Pediatric and Older Adult Populations
21.Considerations for the Pediatric Population
22.Considerations for the Older Adult Population
Unit Review

Appendix—Answer Key
Credits and References
Index
Body Surface Area Nomogram

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Carol E Agana, MNSc, RNP, APRN (University of Arkansas)
Description: This second edition presents comprehensive information for learners of medical math. It includes four methods of calculation and demonstrates a step-by-step approach on how to solve practice problems, calculate dosages of various forms of drugs, and read drug labels. It also has an additional chapter showing differences in medication administration for the pediatric patient and the older adult patient. The accompanying website presents useful basic math tutorials, online exercises, practice problems, calculation tools, and resources for safe dosing.
Purpose: The purpose of this book is primarily to teach nursing students; however, the title includes "nurses." Nurses already in practice often come across medication calculation problems they need help with so this book can also serve as a resource. An objective in the preface includes reducing medication errors and prompting patient safety. The book hopes to develop competency in dosage calculations. The objectives are worthy and, in this second edition, additional activities are added. Is the book needed? Well, not necessarily. The print version of this book is ideal because of the practice problems. Calculations and answers can be made directly in the book and saved for future reference. The accompanying website helps to meet the objectives.
Audience: The title of the book says it is for nursing professionals; however, the preface says it is directed at nursing students. I think both groups can benefit from learning, practice, and using the book as a resource. The book certainly does meet the needs of the intended audience. The authors are credible: both are professors emeriti at the same California nursing program.
Features: The title of the book is very clear, stating first that it is about calculating drug dosages. Even though this book is for nurses, I think anyone who needs to calculate medication dosages could use it, i.e., physicians, physician assistants, PharmDs, etc. The subtitle explains one of the objectives of "providing a patient-safe approach to nursing and math." So, not only is the title clear in identifying the intended audience, but it also says what is inside the book. It is an excellent and very comprehensive book.
Assessment: This is a very good book that outshines Calculate with Confidence, 7th edition, Morris (Elsevier, 2018). This book is much more comprehensive and has better online resources. I would certainly recommend this book to nursing students.

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