Math Calculations for Pharmacy Technicians

Written for pharmacy technicians, and addressing the competencies developed by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), Math Calculations for Pharmacy Technicians, 2nd Edition helps you learn to calculate drug dosages safely and accurately. A practical worktext format covers everything from basic math skills to reading and interpreting labels and physicians' orders, introducing key calculation and conversion concepts and then providing hundreds of problems so you can practice and master the material. Other vital topics include conversions between the various measurement systems, reconstituting liquid medications, and calculating medications based on a patient's age or body weight. Written by experienced pharmacist Robert Fulcher and educator Eugenia Fulcher, Math Calculations for Pharmacy Technicians helps you learn calculation skills and develop the competencies needed by pharmacy technicians. New to this edition * Updated content meets ASHP requirements and features new topics such as powder volume and compounding problems, formulas for reducing and enlarging medications, and opportunities to write out prescription label directions. * Tech Note boxes offer helpful advice on real-life situations you may encounter in the pharmacy. * Tech Alert boxes warn against common pharmacy and medication errors that could impact patients' safety. * Additional prescription and practice exercises give you valuable experience with translating physician directions into patient instructions. Author Info By Robert M. Fulcher, BS Chem, BSPh, RPh, Pharmacist, CVS Pharmacy, Waynesboro, GA and Eugenia M. Fulcher, BSN, MEd, EdD, RN, CMA (AAMA), Allied Health Instructor, Waynesboro, GA Table of Contents: Section I: Introduction and Basic Math Skills 1. Assessment of Mathematical Skills Needed in Health Occupations 2. Review of Basic Mathematical Skills Section II: Measurements Used in Health Care and Conversions Between Measurement Systems 3. Conversion of Clinical Measurements of Numbers, Time and Temperature 4. Comparisons of Measurement Systems 5. Conversions between Measurement Systems Section III: Medication and Prescription Orders and Their Calculations 6. Interpretation of Medication Labels and Orders 7. Calculation of Solid Oral Doses and Dosages 8. Calculate Doses of Liquid Oral and Parenteral Medications 9. Reconstitution of Powders or Crystals into Liquid Medications Section IV: Special Medication Calculations 10. Calculation of Medications for Special Populations Based on Body Weight and Patient Age 11. Calculation of Medications Measured in Units, Milliequivalents and Percents of Concentration 12. Calculation of Medications for Intravenous Uses 13. Calculation of Mixtures from Stock Medications 14. Interpreting Physician's Orders for Dosages Section V: Business Math 15. Business Math for Pharmacy Technicians Appendices Comprehensive Post-Test Answer Key (for odd-numbered problems only) Bibliography Glossary