Addison-Wesleys

Allied Health Reference Card

Fractions
A fraction is defined as a portion of a whole that indicates division of that whole into equal parts. The top number in a fraction, the numerator, tells you how many equal parts you have. The bottom number, the denominator, represents the equal number of parts into which the whole, or numerator, is divided. EXAMPLE: The numerator 3 in the fraction 3 means that you 4 have 3 equal parts of 4 that are each worth 1. The 4 fraction can be represented by We check to see if a proportion is true by using cross multiplication of the two fractions. This is done by multiplying each numerator by its opposite denominator. The cross products will be equal in a true proportion. EXAMPLE: 1 2 2 4 1 2 4 2 4 4 4 4 true, so this is a proportion.

Percent
Percent is defined as parts per 100, represented by the % symbol. EXAMPLE: 15% reads 15 percent or 15 per one hundred.

Decimals
A number written with a decimal point is a decimal. EXAMPLE: The number 12.48 is a decimal. It would be read as twelve and forty-eight hundredths. Place Value Chart
b nd illion re s ten d mi mi llion llio s hun milli ns dre ons ten d tho tho usa tho usan nds u d hu sand s s nd red ten s s on e ten s hu ths n tho dred ten usan ths hun thou dths dre san dt d mi housa ths llio n nth dths s

Fraction/Decimal/Ratio/Percent Conversions
To convert a fraction to a decimal, divide the numerator by
the denominator. EXAMPLE: Convert 1 to a decimal. 5 .2 5 5 1.00 or .2

1 divided by 5

To convert a decimal to a fraction, remove the decimal point and place the decimal part over a denominator equal to the place value of the last digit in the decimal. EXAMPLE: Convert 0.35 to a fraction. Place 35 over 100 because the last place value of 0.35 is hundredths, and reduced to lowest terms, 35/100 7/20. continued on page 2
The content of this work is provided for educational information purposes only. Neither the author nor publisher involved in the publication of this work warrants that the information contained herein is in every respect accurate or complete, and they are not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information.

93 276049 85 3 268 94
Whole numbers Decimals

Ratios
A ratio is a numerical comparison of two quantities or units. EXAMPLE: A solution with 1 part water and 10 parts sodium chloride can be expressed in the following ways as a ratio: 1/10, 1:10, and 1 to 10.

Proportions
A proportion is an equality of two ratios. A proportion is true if the fractions have the same ratio when written in lowest terms. EXAMPLE: 1 2

hu

,!7IA3C1-ddgfef!:t;K;k;K;k
ISBN 0-321-33654-2 1

2 4 or 1:2

2:4.

 To convert a fraction to a ratio, replace the fraction bar with

a colon (:). EXAMPLE: Convert 3 to a ratio. 8 3 3:8. 8

Approximate Volume and Weight Equivalents

Volume
Metric 1 mL 5 mL 15 mL 30 mL 180 mL 240 mL 500 mL 1000 mL Apothecaries 1 minim 15 minims 1 dram (60 minims) 4 drams (34) tsp 1 oz (8 drams) 6 oz 8 oz 1 pt 1 qt 2 pt 4 qt * T is often used as abbreviation for Tbsp. Household 1 drop (gH) 15 drops tsp (60 gtts) 1 1 Tbsp* ( 2 oz) 2 Tbsp (1 oz) 1 teacup 1 glass (measuring cup) 1 pt (16 oz) 1 qt (32 oz) 1 qt 1 gal

To convert a ratio to a fraction, replace the colon sign with a fraction bar. EXAMPLE: Convert 3:4 to a fraction. 3 3:4 4

To convert a decimal to a percent, multiply the decimal by

100 and place a % symbol after it. (This is the same as moving the decimal point 2 places to the right.) EXAMPLE: Convert 0.135 to a percent. 0.135 100 13.5%

To convert a percent to a decimal, divide the percent by

100 and drop the % symbol. (This is the same as moving the decimal point 2 places to the left.) EXAMPLE: Convert 35% to a decimal. 35 divided by 100 0.35.
Metric 0.600.65 mg 0.5 mg 0.4 mg 0.3 mg 0.2 mg 1 mg 4 mg 6 mg 10 mg 15 mg 6065 mg 1 gram 45 grams 15 grams 30 grams 1 kg

Weight
Apothecaries
1 100 gr 1 120 gr 1 150 gr 1 200 gr 1 300 gr 1 60 gr 1 15 gr 1 10 gr 1 6 1 4

Household

To convert a fraction to a percent, first convert the fraction

to a decimal. Then convert the decimal into a percent by multiplying the decimal by 100. 2 EXAMPLE: Convert to a percent. 10 First, convert 2 10 0.2 2 into a decimal. 10 0.2.

gr gr

1 grain 15 grains 1 dram 4 drams 8 drams 1 oz 2.2 lb

Next, convert .2 into a percent. 100 20%.

To convert a percent to a fraction, drop the % sign, place

the number over 100, and reduce to lowest terms. EXAMPLE: Convert 75% to a fraction. Drop the percent sign. Reduced to lowest terms, 3 75 . 100 4

Calculating Conversions Using the Ratio Proportion Method

Conversions between systems of measurement are accomplished by using the rules for ratio and proportion. When the proportion has an unknown, which is designated as x, we check to see if a proportion is true by using cross multiplication of the two fractions and then solving for x. This is done by multiplying each numerator by its opposite denominator.

EXAMPLE: How many inches are in 6 feet? Set up the cross multiplication formula, using two fraction bars with an equal sign between them. This leaves four places to fill in. Find a known equivalent between the two units, in this case, inches and feet. This becomes our conversion factor. We know that 12 inches 1 foot. Fill in the fraction on the left side of the equation with these units. It does not matter which unit goes in the numerator or denominator. For this example, well put 12 in. over 1 ft. 12 in. 1 ft Next, bring the units across to the other side of the equation. 12 in. 1 ft in. ft

Write the denominator in the fraction. It is the

factor that contains the unit of measure. Tab 1 tab 0.5 grams

This first fraction is the starting factor. Follow

this fraction with an symbol (for multiplication), which sets up a proportion. Tab 1 tab 0.5 grams

In the second fraction, the numerator must

match the unit of measure found in the first denominator. In this example, the desired dose, 1000 mg, is converted to 1 gram. 1 tab Tab 1 gram 0.5 grams

Multiply the fractions, which results in the units

of measure, in this case grams, being canceled out. Tab 1 tab 0.5 grams 1 gram

Next, fill in the right side with the units given in the original problem. We substitute x for the unknown in the problem. 12 in. 1 ft x in. 6 ft

Complete the calculation.

1 1 tab 1 0.5 0.5 Administer two tablets. Tab 2 tabs

Next, use cross multiplication to solve the problem. Multiply the cross products (without their unit labels, since they cancel out), and set their answers equal to each other. x 12 1 6 1

#x
x

12 72

#6

Oral Dosage Calculation (Ratio Proportion Method)

Desired dosage Have dosage Dose of medication to be given Dose of medication available

Therefore, there are 72 inches in 6 feet.

Calculating Conversions Using Dimensional Analysis

Dimensional analysis is used to calculate medication dosages by using a variation of ratio and proportion. EXAMPLE: Administer 1000 mg medication three times daily. The medication is available as 0.5 grams per tablet.

Desired amount Number of tablets, capsules, or mL that contain the desired dose Have amount Number of tablets, capsules, or mL in which the available dose is supplied Desired dosage Have dosage Desired amount Have amount

Write the unit of measurement needed first, followed by the equal sign. Tab

EXAMPLE: Your patient is to receive 30 mg cough suppressant daily by mouth. Available is a bottle labeled 10 mg/8 mL. How much medication should you give the patient? 30 mg 10 mg Cross multiply. 10x x Give the patient 24 mL. x mL 8 mL 240 24

Write the numerator of the first fraction. This

must be the same unit as the unit to the left of the equal sign. Tab 1 tab

Oral Dosage Calculation (Formula Method)

d h q x, where d h q 30 mg 10 mg 3 Desired dosage Dosage of medication available Quantity or have amount 8 mL 8 mL x 24 mL

EXAMPLE: The physician prescribed 30 mg Benadryl/kg of body weight to be administered every 8 hr in equally divided doses. The patient weights 10 kg. 30 mg 1 kg x mg 10 kg

Multiply the cross products to arrive at the desired dose. x 300 mg

IV Flow Rate: mL per Hour

Total prescribed time in hr Desired time 11 hr2 Desired hourly amount in mL Total prescribed volume in mL

Parenteral Dosage Calculation (Ratio Proportion Method)

Desired dosage Have dosage Desired amount Have amount

EXAMPLE: Your patient is to receive 2000 mL IV fluid over 24 hours. How much fluid will be infused per hour? 1 hr 24 hr 24x x x mL 2000 mL 2000 83 mL per hour

EXAMPLE: See oral dosage calculation (ratio proportion method) for an example.

Parenteral Dosage Calculation (Formula Method)

d h q x

IV Flow Rate: Drops per Minute

Total amount to be infused in 1 min 1 min Desired drop rate Known drop factor

EXAMPLE: See oral dosage calculation (formula method) for an example.

Pediatric Dosages Based on Body Surface Area

The childs body surface area (BSA), which takes into account the childs height and weight, is measured in square meters 1m2 2, and is estimated by using a Pediatric Body Surface Area Nomogram. The most commonly used is the West Nomogram, which includes weights up to 80 kg (175 lb) and heights up to 240 cm (95 in.). Childs BSA 1in m2 2 dose Average dose per m2 Estimated childs

EXAMPLE: Your patient is to receive 3 mL IV fluid per minute. The infusion set being used has a drop factor of 10 drops/mL. How many drops a minute should the IV be set to deliver? 3 mL per min 1 min x x drops 10 drops>mL 30 drops per minute

IV Flow Rate: Total Infusion Time

Prescribed infusion time in hr Prescribed hourly volume in mL Total infusion time in hr Total prescribed volume in mL

This formula can also be written in the ratio proportion format. Estimated childs dose Childs BSA 1in m2 2 Recommended average dose 1 m2

EXAMPLE: Your patient is to receive 2000 mL D5/W to be infused at 200 mL/hour. How long should it take the IV to infuse? 1 hr 200 mL 200x x x hr 2000 mL 2000 10 hours

Pediatric Dosages Based on Weight

Many physicians prescribe medications for pediatric patients based on the childs body weight. The physicians order is written as a total daily dose divided into a specific number of doses per day. The childs weight in pounds is converted to kilograms by dividing the weight by 2.2. One way to determine daily dose is to use the ratio proportion method. Use the prescribed dose over 1 kg on one side and the desired dose over the childs weight on the other. 4

IV Flow Rate: Electronic Infusion Device

This is the same as the IV flow rate for mL per hour. Desired time to be set Prescribed time of infusion Desired mL per hr Prescribed amount to infuse