

The calculation below shows how you how you convert a mixed number into a fraction.ģ 2/8 = (8 x 3 + 2) / 8 = (24 + 2 = 26) / 8 Decimalsĭecimals express numbers more or less than one in combination with a decimal number of less than one like a mixed number is.Īll decimals are based on our system of tens in fact the "dec" of the word decimal means 10.įor example, 0.7 is 7 tenths 8.13 is 8 and 13 hundredths and likewise, 9.546 is 9 and 546 thousandths. Place this number over the denominator of the fraction.Add the numerator of the fraction to this number.Multiple the denominator of the fraction by the whole number.The procedure for converting mixed numbers into improper fractions is: You have to convert all mixed numbers into improper fractions before you can perform calculations using them. Some examples of mixed numbers are 4 1/4, 3 5/6 and 24 6/7. Mixed numbers are a combination of a whole number greater than one and a fraction. This calculation is performed as seen below. To reduce this fraction you would divide 24 by 8 which is 3 and you would then divide the 56 by 8 which is which is 7. A fraction cannot be reduced when there is no number that can be divided evenly into both.įor example, 24 / 56 has a numerator and denominator that can be equally divided by 8. You have to determine which number can be divided evenly into both the numerator and the denominator to reduce fractions. Reducing fractions make them more understandable and easier to work with. Proper fractions are less than 1 and improper fractions are more than one 1.ġ/2, 6/8 and 12/4, for example the numerators for each of these fractions are 1, 6 and 12, respectively and the denominators for each of these fractions are 2, 8 and 4, respectively.īoth proper and improper fractions can be reduced to their lowest common denominator. The two types of fractions are proper fractions and improper fractions. Measurements used in the household measurement system include teaspoons, tablespoons, drops, ounces, cups, pints, quart, gallons, and pounds: The household measurement system is typically only used for patients who are in the home and not in a hospital or another healthcare facility. The three measurement systems that are used in pharmacology are the household measurement system, the metric system and the apothecary system.

In this section you will get a brief review of basic arithmetic calculations and a review of the ratio and proportion method that is used for the calculation of dosages and solutions. Safe nursing care mandates accuracy in the calculation of dosages and solution rates.

Performing the Calculations Needed for Medication Administration
