1st Edition

Essential Math and Calculations for Pharmacy Technicians

By Indra K. Reddy, Mansoor A. Khan Copyright 2004
    238 Pages 82 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    by Routledge

    Accurately calculating medication dosages is a critical element in pharmaceutical care that directly affects optimal patient outcomes. Unfortunately, medication dosage errors happen in pharmacies, in hospitals, or even at home or in homecare settings everyday. In extreme cases, even minor dosage errors can have dire consequences. Careful calculations are essential to providing optimal medical and pharmaceutical care.

    Essential Math and Calculations for Pharmacy Technicians fills the need for a basic reference that students and professionals can use to help them understand and perform accurate calculations. Organized in a natural progression from the basic to the complex, the book includes:

  • Roman and Arabic Numerals
  • Fractions and decimals
  • Ratios, proportions, and percentages
  • Systems of measurement including household conversions
  • Interpretation of medication orders
  • Isotonicity, pH, buffers, and reconstitutions
  • Intravenous flow rates
  • Insulin and Heparin products
  • Pediatric dosage
  • Business math

    Packed with numerous solved examples and practice problems, the book presents the math in a step-by-step style that allows readers to quickly grasp concepts. The authors explain the fundamentals simply and clearly and include ample practice problems that help readers become proficient. The focus on critical thinking, real-life problem scenarios, and the self-test format make Essential Math and Calculations for Pharmacy Technicians an indispensable learning tool.
  • Working with Roman and Arabic Numerals
    Using Fractions and Decimals in Pharmacy Math
    Using Ratios, Proportions and Percentages in Dosage Calculations
    Applying Systems of Measurements
    Interpreting Medication Orders
    Identifying Prescription Errors and Omissions
    Working with Liquid Dosage Forms
    Working with Solid Dosage Forms
    Adjusting Isotonicity
    Working with Buffer and Ionization Values
    Dealing with Reconstitutions
    Determining Milliequivalent Strengths
    Calculating Caloric Values
    Determining IV Flow Rates
    Working with Insulin and Heparin Products
    Appendices:
    A: Working with Temperature Conversions
    B: Working with Capsule Dosage Forms
    C: Dealing with Pediatric Dosages
    D: Understanding Essential Business Math

    Biography

    Reddy, Indra K.; Khan, Mansoor A.

    "Calculations are explained in great detail in a logical fashion. The formulas are helpful and explained in several ways. The information is presented so that verification for accuracy is easily done. … Information provided in this text is more complete and detailed than in other math textbooks. I recommend this volume as a textbook or as a supplemental course book. Students could also benefit from Essential Math as a reference book. It should be a very valuable addition to their pharmacy technician library."
    - Ray Vellenga, Journal of Pharmacy Technology