Medical Mathematics and Dosage Calculations for Veterinary Technicians

Robert Bill is a Professor Emeritus of Veterinary Pharmacology and former Program Director of the Veterinary Technology Program in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.

Table of Contents

SECTION I – REVIEW OF MATH FUNDAMENTALS

Chapter 1 math fundamentals - self assessment exercises

1.1 Scientific notation

1.2 Adding and subtracting decimal numbers without a calculator

1.3 Multiplying and dividing decimal numbers without a calculator

1.4 Rounding decimal numbers

1.5 Simplifying fractions

1.6 Adding and subtracting fractions without a calculator

1.7 Multiplying fractions without a calculator

1.8 Dividing fractions

1.9 Converting fractions to decimal numbers

1.10 Converting decimal numbers to commonly used fractions

1.11 Converting percentages to decimal numbers

1.12 Converting decimal numbers to percentages

1.13 Converting percentages to commonly used fractions

1.14 Converting fractions to percentages

1.15 Medical math applications of percentages

1.16 Solving for the missing X – addition and subtraction problems

1.17 Solving for the missing X – multiplication and division

1.18 Solving for the missing X – proportions

1.19 Answers for self-assessment exercises

Chapter 2 review of key math fundamentals - decimals

2.1 Relative values of decimal numbers

2.2 Properly communicating decimal numbers

2.3 Rules for using the zero in medical math decimals

2.4 Comparing decimal numbers – which is larger?

2.5 Quick guide to using scientific notation

2.6 Tips for adding and subtracting decimal numbers

2.7 Tips for multiplying decimal numbers

2.8 Tips for dividing decimal numbers

2.9 Accurately rounding decimal numbers

2.10 Chapter 2 practice problems

Chapter 3 – review of key math fundamentals – fractions

3.1 Fundamentals of working with medical math fractions

3.2 Working with improper fractions, proper fractions, and mixed numbers

3.3 Equivalent factions in medical math

3.4 Simplifying or reducing fractions

3.5 Adding fractions in medical math

3.6 Subtracting fractions in medical math

3.7 Multiplying fractions in medical math

3.8 Dividing fractions in medical math

3.9 Conversion between fractions and decimals

3.10 Rounding fractions in medical math

3.11 Chapter 3 practice problems

Chapter 4 – review of key math fundamentals - percentages

4.1 Conversion of percentages to fractions

4.2 Conversion between percentages and decimals

4.3 Conversion of fractions to percentages

4.4 Finding percentages of a whole

4.5 Subtracting or adding the percentage fraction of the whole

4.6 Determining percentages represented by the fractional component

4.7 Chapter 4 practice problems

Chapter 5 – review of key math fundamentals – finding the Unknown X

5.1 Analyzing the problem and setting up the equation

5.2 Addition - Moving numbers to other the other side of the equation

5.3 Subtraction - Moving negative numbers or a negative Unknown X

5.4 Finding the Unknown X in multiplication problems

5.5 Multiplication problems using fractions and mixed numbers

5.6 Unknown X is in the denominator

5.7 Finding the Unknown X in division problems

5.8 Unknown X involving division of fractions

5.9 Chapter 5 practice problems

SECTION II – UNDERSTANDING UNITS AND LABELS

Chapter 6 – Measurements used in veterinary medicine

6.1 Metric units – the basics

6.2 Metric units of weight and mass

6.3 Metric units of volume

6.4 Metric units of length

6.5 Metric units of concentration or density

6.6 Nonmetric units – household, apothecary, and avoirdupois units

6.7 Conversion between quantifies of volume and mass – special cases

6.8 Converting between units – the proportion and cancel-out methods

6.9 Estimating your answer – does your answer make sense?

6.10 Chapter 6 practice problems

Chapter 7 – Drug orders and drug labels

7.1 The dosage regimen

7.2 The dosage form

7.3 Best practices in writing drug orders

7.4 Understanding the drug label - the drug names

7.5 Understanding the drug label - concentrations and dosage forms

7.6 Understanding the drug label - regulatory label information

7.7 Understanding the drug label - hazards, storage, and expiration dates

7.8 Chapter 7 practice problems

SECTION III – DOSE CALCULATIONS

Chapter 8 – Basic dose calculations

8.1 The basic steps in dose calculations

8.2 Converting the animal’s weight into the units needed to calculate the dose

8.3 Determining the dose for the patient

8.4 Determining the amount of dosage forms needed per dose

8.5 Determining the number of dosage forms needed to complete the dosage regimen

8.6 Using the syringe with liquid dosage formulations

8.7 Chapter 8 practice problems

Chapter 9 – Intravenous infusion calculations

9.1 Performing IV infusions and the use of IV administration sets

9.2 The basics of setting the IV fluid rate using the drip chamber

9.3 Setting the IV fluid rate – Constant Rate Infusions (CRI)

9.4 Calculating infusion rates when adding drugs to IV fluids

9.5 Calculating standard IV fluid rates

9.6 Calculating IV fluid stop times

9.7 Chapter 9 practice problems

SECTION IV – OTHER CALCULATIONS USED IN VETERINARY MEDICINE

Chapter 10 – Ratios, proportions, and dilutions

10.1 Ratios and proportions

10.2 The basics of making a dilution

10.3 Creating serial dilutions

10.4 Calculating diluent needed to deliver a specific dose or drug concentration

10.5 Calculating dilutions using the V1 x C1 = V2 x C2 formula

10.6 Diluting percent solutions

10.7 Diluting solutions expressed as ratios

10.8 Making dilutions with mixed types of concentrations

10.9 Chapter 10 practice problems

Chapter 11 – Additional calculations used in veterinary medicine

11.1 Mean, median, mode, and range

11.2 Converting between Fahrenheit and Celsius

11.3 Roman numerals

11.4 Chapter 11 practice problems

Answers to Practice Problems

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