Math Matters: A Review of Calculations for Nonsterile Compounding
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Course Summary
A strong understanding of pharmaceutical calculations provides pharmacy technicians and pharmacists the ability to prepare compounded nonsterile preparations accurately and safely. This course provides an overview of fundamental pharmaceutical calculations and related concepts, including units of measure, conversions, the ratio and proportion method, dimensional analysis, expressions of concentrations, density, and specific gravity. The alligation and aliquot methods will be reviewed, as well as calculations related to drug dosing and reconstitution. Step-by-step example problems will be provided to aid the learner in understanding these concepts.
Course Objectives
Convert units of measurement
Recognize methods used to solve calculations for nonsterile compounding
Perform calculations necessary to prepare compounded nonsterile preparations
I. Introduction
II. Calculation Considerations
III. Systems of Measurement
1. The Metric System
2. The Apothecary System
3. The Avoirdupois System
4. The Household System
5. Common Units of Measure
6. Converting Between Units
7. Common Conversions: Weight
IV. Choose Your Own Adventure: Ratios and Proportion Method and Dimensional Analysis
1. Ratios and Proportions
2. Dimensional Analysis
V. Drug Dosing Calculations
VI. Drug Concentration Expressions
1. Concentration
2. Percent
3. Ratio Strength
VII. Density and Specific Gravity
VIII. Calculations for Weighing
1. Least Weighable Quantity
2. Aliquot Method
IX. Alligation Method
X. Calculations for Reconstitution
XI. Summary
- Read the course objectives and faculty planner disclosure
- Read the course material
- Complete the post-test with a minimum score of 70% and complete the course evaluation form.
- Results are automatically submitted to CPE Monitor
Faculty Planner Disclosure
The following individuals were involved in developing this activity: Liz Fredrickson, PharmD, BCPS, and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. Pamela Sardo was an employee of Rhythm Pharmaceuticals until March 2022 and has no conflicts of interest or relationships regarding the subject matter discussed. There are no financial relationships relevant to this activity to report or disclose by any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.
Unlabeled Use Disclosures
The information provided in this course is general in nature and it is solely designed to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant’s professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, must consult with their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization, for guidelines, protocols, and procedures they are to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures but is for academic purposes only, and this course’s limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses are constantly changing, and any person taking this course understands that such person must make an independent review of medication information prior to any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course, or course material.
Computer Hardware/Software Requirements
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- Target Audience: Pharmacist
- Contact Hours: 2.0 (0.2 CEUs)
- Activity Release Date: 10/21/2023
- Activity Expiration Date: 10/21/2026
- Activity Type: Knowledge
- UAN: 0669-0000-23-178-H07-P
- Topic: Compounding
- CeBroker Number: 20-1118428
Author:
RxCe.com, LLC is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.