Intended for first year pharmacy students struggling with basic math, this self-study guide briefly reviews algebraic operations and provides numerous problems for practice. The 15 chapters cover fractions, percentages, systems of measurement, prescription errors, working with liquid and solid dosage forms, adjusting isotonicity, reconstitution of powders, pH calculations, insulin strength, and heparin products. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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.
