Math for the Pharmacy Technician: Concepts and Calculations

398 Pages·2010·9.279 MB·English

by  Lynn M Egler

Math for the Pharmacy
Technician: Concepts
and Calculations

Math for the Pharmacy
Technician: Concepts
and Calculations
Lynn M. Egler, RMA, AHI, CPhT
Dorsey Schools, Madison Heights, Michigan
Kathryn A. Booth, RN-BSN, MS, RMA, RPT, CPhT
Total Care Programming, Palm Coast, Florida
MATH FOR THE PHARMACY TECHNICIAN: CONCEPTS AND CALCULATIONS
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ISBN 978-0-07-337396-6
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Egler, Lynn M.
Math for the pharmacy technician : concepts and calculations / Lynn M. Egler, Kathryn A.
Booth.
p. ; cm.
Includes index.
ISBN-13: 978-0-07-337396-6 (alk. paper)
ISBN-10: 0-07-337396-6 (alk. paper)
1. Pharmaceutical arithmetic—Examinations, questions, etc. 2. Pharmacy technicians—
Examinations, questions, etc. I. Booth, Kathryn A., 1957- II. Title.
[DNLM: 1. Drug Dosage Calculations—Examination Questions. 2. Mathematics—
Examination Questions. 3. Pharmacists’ Aides—education—Examination Questions.
QV 18.2 E31m 2010]
RS57.E35 2010
615’.1401513076—dc22
2008045883
WARNING NOTICE: The clinical procedures, medicines, dosages, and other matters described in this publication are
based upon research of current literature and consultation with knowledgeable persons in the field. The p rocedures
and matters described in this text reflect currently accepted clinical practice. However, this information cannot and
should not be relied upon as necessarily applicable to a given individual’s case. Accordingly, each person must be
separately diagnosed to discern the patient’s unique circumstances. Likewise, the manufacturer’s package insert for
current drug production information should be consulted before administering any drug. Publisher disclaims all
liability for any inaccuracies, omissions, misuse, or misunderstanding of the information contained in this publication.
Publisher cautions that this publication is not intended as a substitute for the professional judgment of trained m edical
personnel.
www.mhhe.com
Dedication
Lynn Egler: To all the “teachers” I have learned from and all
the students I have been able to share that knowledge with.
To my family members and friends who have supported me in
this effort, and have realized what a precious opportunity it
was for me. Especially my niece, Jennifer Jiminey, thank you
for your administrative assistance on this project. I love you.
To Carol Buchanan for her unwavering support and friend-
ship, if it were not for her, this opportunity would have never
come to be.
To Andy Tysinger for encouraging my best interests regardless
of the consequences.
To my loving retired Navy husband, Scott, who stood the
watch at home during this project. Without his love and sup-
port I never could have achieved this dream.
Kathryn Booth: To the future pharmacy technicians who use
this program, congratulations on your selection of this profes-
sion. Your skills and training are greatly needed.
To my youngest son, Jack for his love and everlasting faithful-
ness and my dear husband for his enduring support.
v

About the Authors
Lynn M. Egler, RMA, AHI, CPhT, has worked in the health care and edu-
cation fi elds across the country for the past 25 years. She served in the
United States Navy as a hospital corpsman and emergency medical techni-
cian during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Mrs. Egler’s health
care experience includes; emergency department, endoscopy, anesthesia
and recovery, hospital pediatrics and maternal health, hospital laboratory,
family practice, and retail pharmacy.
As a dedicated educator, she has held the positions of Medical Assistant
and Medical Offi ce Specialist Program Director, Medical Assistant Educa-
tion Chair, Allied Health instructor, externship coordinator, and American
Heart Association CPR instructor and training center faculty. Mrs. Egler
developed and standardized multiple curricula for eight college campuses
across four states, including medical assisting, medical offi ce administra-
tion, dental assisting, surgical technician, and pharmacy technician pro-
grams. Mrs. Egler is currently employed with Dorsey Schools in Madison
Heights, Michigan, as an Allied Health instructor.
Kathryn A. Booth, RN–BSN, MS, RMA, RPT, CPhT, is an author, consul-
tant, vice president, and owner of Total Care Programming, a multimedia
software development company. Her background includes a bachelor’s de-
gree in nursing and a master’s degree in education. Her 29 years of teach-
ing, nursing, and health care experience span fi ve states. She has authored
and d eveloped multimedia CD-ROM software and health occupations edu-
cational textbooks and educational materials for Total Care Programming
Inc., Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, Mosby Lifeline, Lippincott, Williams, and
Wilkins, and McGraw-Hill Higher Education. Her most recent textbook
is Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 3rd ed.,
published by McGraw-Hill Higher Education. Mrs. Booth has presented
at n umerous state and national conferences since 1994. Her current focus
is to develop additional health care materials that will assist health care
educators and promote the health care profession.
vii

Brief Table of Contents
Pretest xxv
Chapter 1 Numbering Systems and Mathematical Review 2
Chapter 2 Working with Percents, Ratios, and Proportions 40
Chapter 3 Systems of Measurement and Weight 66
Chapter 4 Drug Orders 94
Chapter 5 Drug Labels and Package Inserts 118
Chapter 6 Dosage Calculation 154
Chapter 7 Oral Medications and Parenteral Dosages 184
Chapter 8 Intravenous Calculations 232
Chapter 9 Special Preparations and Calculations 260
Chapter 10 Pediatric and Geriatric Considerations 278
Chapter 11 Operational Calculations 302
Comprehensive Evaluation 318
Exercise Workspace 326
Appendix A Common Look/Alike and Sound/
Alike Medications 330
Appendix B Answer Key—Review and Practice Problems 341
Glossary 359
Credits 362
Index 363
Conversion Cards
ix