Table of Contents

Introduction 1 Part I: Getting Started with Nursing Calculations and IV Therapy 5 Chapter 1: Getting the Lowdown on Nursing Calculations and IV Therapy 7 Chapter 2: It's about Units, Innit! The Metric System of Measurement 19 Chapter 3: Making a Point: Fractions and Decimals 33 Chapter 4: Ordering Parts with Percentages, Averages and Ratios 45 Chapter 5: Making Sense of Moles and Solution Concentrates 59 Chapter 6: Administering Drugs Accurately and Safely 69 Part II: Working Out Tablet and Liquid Dosages 89 Chapter 7: Measuring the Important Vital Signs 91 Chapter 8: Sorting Out Medication Dosages 111 Chapter 9: Making Out the Make?Up of Pills 127 Chapter 10: Keeping Up to Scratch on Injections 137 Chapter 11: Comprehending Diagnostic Blood Tests: Venepuncture 155 Chapter 12: Using Advanced Formulae 169 Chapter 13: Monitoring Patients for Adverse Reactions 179 Part III: Figuring Out Infusion Rates for IV Therapy 197 Chapter 14: Water, Water, Everywhere! Looking at IV Fluids 199 Chapter 15: Discussing Drips and Drops: IV Therapy 221 Chapter 16: Round Peg in a Square Hole: Getting Drugs and Fluids into the Body 239 Chapter 17: Administering Blood Components 259 Chapter 18: Reducing Infections and Needle Injuries 271 Chapter 19: Checking for IV Therapy Complications 285 Chapter 20: Meeting Sister Morphine: The Poppy and Pain Management 301 Part IV: Testing Your Calculations and IV Knowledge 311 Chapter 21: 101 Questions to Test Your IV Therapy Knowledge 313 Chapter 22: 101 Answers to the IV Therapy Questions 321 Part V: The Part of Tens 341 Chapter 23: Ten Tips for Administering IV Drugs Safely 343 Chapter 24: Ten Useful Drug?Administration Formulae 349 Chapter 25: Ten Key Points When Administering Medication 355 Index 359

About the Author

Claire Boyd is a practice development trainer with the NHS and specialises in giving nurses the skills and self-belief to progress their careers. Her expertise is combined with a friendly approach to make learning both fast and fun.