What are three main elements of a DA equation that must be identified before the setup? (Use basic phrases.)

*Remember in DA, the placement of units, not numbers, guides the setup. The units are canceled before the math.

Now that we have the three main of a DA equation, let's use them to answer the following scenario:

2. A patient is admitted to the intensive care unit after a cerebral vascular accident (stroke). The patient has a medical history of hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, and hypothyroidism. The nurse is preparing the patients medications. The following questions pertain to this situation.

a. Order: Synthroid 175 mcg by mouth daily

Available: Synthroid 175 mcg/tablet

How many tablets should the nurse administer to the patient?

b. Order: Glucophage 1000 mg by mouth twice daily

Available: Glucophage 500 mg/tablet

How many tablets should the nurse administer to the patient?

c. Order: Heparin 7500 units subcut b.i.d.

Available: Heparin 10,000 units/mL

How many milliliters should the nurse administer to the patient? (Round to the nearest 100th place.)

d. Order: Hydrocortisone 100 mg IV b.i.d.

Available: Hydrocortisone 250 mg/2 mL

How many milliliters should the nurse administer to the patient? (Round to the nearest 10th place.)