PharmD is a professional pharmacy degree similar to a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS). As a doctorate, it increasing the responsibilities of pharmacists have in health care systems.
Pharmaceutical calculation is a core part of any pharmacy degree, especially for Pharm D degree. Pharm D students must learn about doses, concentration, and biopharmaceutics parameters.
The use of calculations in pharmacy is varied and broad-based. It encompasses calculations performed by pharmacists in traditional as well as in specialized practice settings and within operational and research areas in industry, academia, and government organization.
Pharmaceutical Calculation Topics for Pharm D Students
Success in performing pharmaceutical calculations is based on the:
- understanding of the purpose or goal of the problem;
- assessment of the arithmetic process required to reach the goal; and,
- implementation of the correct arithmetic manipulations.
This initial article is intended to remind the students of some previously learned mathematics. Most students likely will progress rapidly through this article.
Dosage Calculation Conversion Chart
- 1 kg = 2.2 lb
- 1 lb = 16 oz
- 1 tsp = 5 mL
- 1 gallon = 4 quart
- 1 L = 1,000 mL
- 1 kg = 1,000 g
- 1 oz = 30 mL = 2 tbsp
- 8 oz = 240 mL = 1 glass
- 1 g = 1,000 mg
- 1 inch = 2.54 cm
- 1 mg = 1,000 mcg
- 1 cm = 10 mm
- 1 cup = 8 fl oz
- 1 tbsp = 15 mL
- 1 pint = 2 cups
- 12 inches = 1 foot
- 1 L = 1.057 qt
- 1 tbsp = 3 tsp
- 60 minute = 1 hour
- 1 cc = 1 mL
- 2 pints = 1 qt
- 1 pt = 500 mL = 16 oz
- 1 tsp = 60 gtt
- 1 oz = 30 mL
- 4 oz = 120 mL (Casey, 2018)
Prescription Abbreviations List
- po: by mouth (or orally)
- susp: suspension
- pm: as needed
- tab: tablet
- IM: intramuscularly
- IV: intravenous
- cap: capsule
- q: every
- bid: twice a day
- tid: three times a day
- qid: four times a day
- qhs: before bed
- ac: before meals
- pc: after meals
- prn: as needed
Pharmaceutical Calculation Example
Practice 1:
If the adult dose of a medication is 2 teaspoonsful (tsp.), calculate the dose for a child if it is 1/4 of the adult dose.
1/4 x 2 tsp. = 2/4 = 1/2 tsp.
Practce 2:
If a child’s dose of a cough syrup is 3⁄4 teaspoonful and represents 1⁄4 of the adult dose, calculate the corresponding adult dose.
3/4 tsp. ÷ 1/4 = 3/4 tsp. x 4/1 = (3x4) ÷(4x1) tsp. = 12÷4 tsp. = 3 tsp.
Practice 3:
Order: Doxycycline 100 mg po daily
Supply: Doxycycline 0.2 g (200 mg) per tablet
Give: 100/200 x 1 tablet = 1/2 tablet
SOME ARITHMETIC SYMBOLS USED IN PHARMACY
Related: Pharm D Syllabus in USA
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