🩺 Dosage Calculator for Nurses

Welcome to the Nursing Dosage Calculator — designed to help nursing students, registered nurses, and healthcare professionals practice safe and accurate medication math.

This tool is inspired by NCLEX dosage calculation questions and real nursing practice. Use it to practice and verify your results.

🔹 What is Dosage Calculation in Nursing?

Dosage calculation is the process of determining the correct amount of medication to give a patient. Nurses use formulas to calculate based on:

• Doctor’s order (prescribed dose)
• Stock dose (medication available on hand)
• Patient weight or body surface area
• Time frame (per hour, per day, per minute for IV drips)

Accurate dosage is critical to prevent medication errors and ensure patient safety.

🔹 Step-by-Step Nursing Dosage Formulas

Basic Dosage Formula

IV Flow Rate (mL/hr)

IV Drip Rate (gtt/min)

Weight-Based Pediatric Dosage

🔹 Example Problems

✔ Example 1: Tablet Calculation
Doctor’s order: 500 mg
Stock dose: 250 mg per tablet

✔ Example 2: IV Drip Rate
1,000 mL over 8 hours, drop factor 20 gtt/mL

✔ Example 3: Pediatric Dosage
Child weighs 15 kg, order: 10 mg/kg

🔹 Common Mistakes to Avoid

• ❌ Misplacing the decimal point
• ❌ Confusing mg with mcg
• ❌ Forgetting to convert pounds ↔ kilograms
• ❌ Using the wrong drop factor (10, 15, 20, or 60 gtt/mL)

Always double-check calculations with another nurse or the calculator before administration.

🔹 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is dosage calculation important in nursing?
Because even a small error can cause overdose, underdose, or patient harm. Nurses are the final checkpoint before medication is given.

Q2: Is dosage calculation on the NCLEX exam?
✅ Yes, you will see medication math questions on the NCLEX. These often involve tablets, IV flow rates, and pediatric weight-based problems.

Q3: How can I get better at dosage calculations?

• Practice daily with examples
• Use formulas until they become second nature
• Test yourself with a dosage calculator tool