b.i.d

Two times per day.

bioavailability

The proportion of the drug that enters the circulation when introduced into the body and so is able to have an active effect.

Bolus

Refers to the administration of a single dose of a substance.

Concentration or Final Concentration

The strength of the reconstituted solution, often expressed in milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL).

Dilution

Adding additional liquid (usually normal saline) to achieve the desired concentration.

Gram (g)

Base unit for mass in the metric system.

gtt

Drop.

half-life

The time it takes for the concentration of the drug in the blood plasma to reduce by half.

IM

Inject the medicine into the muscle.

Inotropic

Modifying the force or speed of contraction of muscles.

Intradermal (ID)

Given directly into middle layer of skin (dermis).

Intramuscular (IM)

Injected deep into a muscle.

Intravenous (IV)

Administered into a vein using a syringe or IV infusion.

IV Bolus

A medical technique that delivers necessary fluid or medication directly into the bloodstream.

IV Push

An even quicker method than IV Bolus. The syringe's content is delivered within seconds directly into the bloodstream. 

Liter (L)

Base unit for volume in the metric system.

Meter (m)

Base unit for length in the metric system.

microdrip

60 gtt/mL.

Normal Saline (NS)

A sterile solution containing 0.9% sodium chloride (salt) in water.

PO

By mouth.

prn

Latin for "pro re nata" means depending on the pain.

stat

Immediately.

Sterile Water (SW)

A purified liquid used for reconstitution.

Subcutaneous (SC or subcut)

Injected into the innermost layer of skin (subcutis or hypodermis).

t.i.d

Three times a day.

therapeutic range

The concentration of the drug in the blood serum that produces the desired effect without causing toxicity.

Vial

The container holding the powdered medication.

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Nursing Dosage Calculations Copyright © 2024 by WisTech Open is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.