Converting.. stuff (grains?)

Hi ^^;; I hope this is in the right section.

Anyway. I'm in beginning algebra.. not going into nursing field at all.. and i need help..

For my one problem #3.. it says:

3.) Morphine sulfate 2mg IV push is ordered to relieve shortness of breath in a patient with chronic lung disease. It is supplied as grains 1/4 pr ml. How many mls should the nurse administer?

1 grain = 60 mg.


Because im not into nursing I cant figure out what that grains thing is...

I tried it like the other problems.. this is what i got..

1/4 grain / (blank) * 2mg / 1 grain * 1.6ml / 160mg

which turns out to be

.005 ml


But it seems like its too small??


I looked up grains in my moms medical books (she WAS a nurse) but i couldnt figure anything out.. I'd ask her.. but.. she died a few years ago...


what do you guys think?


Thanks so much

~Bunny

pinknosedbunny wrote:3.) Morphine sulfate 2mg IV push is ordered to relieve shortness of breath in a patient with chronic lung disease. It is supplied as grains 1/4 pr ml. How many mls should the nurse administer?

1 grain = 60 mg.

Use dimensional analysis. Start with what you are looking for. (ml)

ml=


You know the morphine is supplied in gr 1/4 per ml. (when writing this out on paper, put the division as a line directly below the first number and the second number underneath.)

ml= 1ml/gr1/4


You are given that gr 1 is equal to 60mg.


ml=1ml/gr1/4*gr1/60mg


And the ordered dose is 2mg.

ml=1ml/gr1/4*gr1/60mg*2mg

You now multiply straight across.


On top: 1ml * gr1 * 2mg= 2 (no label yet)
--------------------------------------------
On bottom: gr1/4 * 60mg = 15 (no label yet)


So now you have

ml=2/15
which is equal to 0.13 (with 3 unendlessly, but for this purpose round to 0.13)

Now to check youself, be sure that all of the labels cross each other out except for the one you are looking for. (ie, is there a grain label on both top and bottom? ml label on both top and bottom?) This only leaves the ml which is what the original problem asks for.

Hope this helps!!!


Jessi
:luck:

:D Thanks so much!!

The other problems on the assignment weren't as hard.. but the " grains 1/4 pr ml" thing threw me off!


^_^

~Bunny

I was just wondering if anyone has actually encountered 'Grains' in practice. I remember learning to convert them in school (I think it was aspirin) but I've never seen them on the job.

Just curious.

I've had Dr's write orders of "Tylenol 5gr" = Tylnol 325mg. Also, some thyroide meds (not Synthroid, but Armour Thyroid) are dosed in grains.

My understanding is it is a measurement that was used a long time ago. Most of the doctors you will see using it are older than dirt and it is just a habit (ie. the way they learned it).

Jessi