DOSAGE CALCULATION FOR NURSING
ASPIRANTS
( Get daily nursing PDFs & exam-focused notes here - https://t.me/pwnursing )
📌 WHY DOSAGE CALCULATION IS IMPORTANT
Dosage calculation is a core nursing skill and a frequently tested topic in NORCET, AIIMS,
and state nursing exams.
Wrong calculation = medication error, which can be life-threatening.
BASIC DOSAGE CALCULATION RULES (MUST KNOW)
✅ The 5 Rights of Medication
Always verify:
1. Right patient
2. Right drug
3. Right dose
4. Right route
5. Right time
✅ General Rules
• Always double-check calculations
• Use leading zero (0.5 mg, not .5 mg)
• Never use trailing zero (5 mg, not 5.0 mg)
• IV medications require extra caution
• Pediatric doses are weight-based
📍 MCQ Tip: Trailing zero → medication error
COMMON ABBREVIATIONS USED IN DOSAGE
CALCULATION
, Units
• mg = milligram
• g = gram
• mcg = microgram
• kg = kilogram
• L = liter
• mL = milliliter
Time
• OD = once daily
• BD = twice daily
• TDS = three times daily
• QID = four times daily
• HS = at bedtime
• PRN = as needed
Routes
• PO = oral
• IV = intravenous
• IM = intramuscular
• SC = subcutaneous
• SL = sublingual
METRIC CONVERSIONS (VERY IMPORTANT)
Weight
• 1 kg = 1000 g
• 1 g = 1000 mg
• 1 mg = 1000 mcg
Volume
• 1 L = 1000 mL
• 1 tsp = 5 mL
• 1 tbsp = 15 mL
Household Conversions
• 1 cup = 240 mL
• 1 oz = 30 mL
ASPIRANTS
( Get daily nursing PDFs & exam-focused notes here - https://t.me/pwnursing )
📌 WHY DOSAGE CALCULATION IS IMPORTANT
Dosage calculation is a core nursing skill and a frequently tested topic in NORCET, AIIMS,
and state nursing exams.
Wrong calculation = medication error, which can be life-threatening.
BASIC DOSAGE CALCULATION RULES (MUST KNOW)
✅ The 5 Rights of Medication
Always verify:
1. Right patient
2. Right drug
3. Right dose
4. Right route
5. Right time
✅ General Rules
• Always double-check calculations
• Use leading zero (0.5 mg, not .5 mg)
• Never use trailing zero (5 mg, not 5.0 mg)
• IV medications require extra caution
• Pediatric doses are weight-based
📍 MCQ Tip: Trailing zero → medication error
COMMON ABBREVIATIONS USED IN DOSAGE
CALCULATION
, Units
• mg = milligram
• g = gram
• mcg = microgram
• kg = kilogram
• L = liter
• mL = milliliter
Time
• OD = once daily
• BD = twice daily
• TDS = three times daily
• QID = four times daily
• HS = at bedtime
• PRN = as needed
Routes
• PO = oral
• IV = intravenous
• IM = intramuscular
• SC = subcutaneous
• SL = sublingual
METRIC CONVERSIONS (VERY IMPORTANT)
Weight
• 1 kg = 1000 g
• 1 g = 1000 mg
• 1 mg = 1000 mcg
Volume
• 1 L = 1000 mL
• 1 tsp = 5 mL
• 1 tbsp = 15 mL
Household Conversions
• 1 cup = 240 mL
• 1 oz = 30 mL
