2-17. COMPUTING DOSAGES FOR ORAL LIQUID MEDICATIONS
(PREPARED-STRENGTH LIQUIDS)
NOTE:
Remember that the size (total # of mls) of the bottle of medication has no
influence on the Expression of Strength of the medication.
EXAMPLE #1: You are to give 125 mg of a liquid medication to a patient. The
medication is stocked in a 100 ml bottle that contains 250 mg of
the medication per 5 ml.
250 mg = 125 mg
5 ml
X ml
b. Convert the strength of the medication ordered and the strength of the
medication stocked to the same unit of measurement.
(not applicable here)
c. Cross-multiply.
250X = 725
d. Solve for "X." Label the answer.
X = 2.5 ml
EXAMPLE #2:
Administer ampicillin 125 mg P.O. to a pediatric patient. On
hand is a 100 ml bottle of ampicillin suspension labeled 0.2 gm
per 4 ml. How many ml will you give?
0.2 gm = 125 mg
4 ml
X ml
MD0904
2-27