Re: Re: Pharmacy Conversions..

[Guest guest]

Dear Merritt,

One could memorize it.

One could calculate it when needed.

I think the most common will be:

1 grain = 60 or 65 mg

1/2 grain = 30 mg

1/4 grain = 15 mg

1/8 grain = 7.5 mg

The above is usually used with Tylenol + Codeine

Such as

Tyl # 4

Tyl # 3

Tyl #2

Tyl #1

The following is usually applied to nitroglycerine tabs

1/150 grain = 0.4 mg

1/200 grain = 0.3 mg

1/300 grain = 0.2 mg

1/400 grain = 0.15 mg

Hope this helps,

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

F/O

Merritt <pianoman330@...> wrote: Thank

you all for your prompt responses. My flash cards did show that

a gr could be equivalent to either 60-65 mg. So thank you for clearing

that up. However, my problem still lyes within the memorization aspect

of the gr conversions. Is it strictly memory, or is there a mneumonic

device that tells you:

0.1 mg = 1/600 gr

0.12 mg = 1/500 gr

0.15 mg = 1/400 gr

0.2 mg = 1/300 gr

0.3 mg = 1/200 gr

0.4 mg = 1/150 gr

0.5 mg = 1/120 gr

0.6 mg = 1/100 gr

0.8 mg = 1/80 gr

1 mg = 1/65 gr

I don't see a pattern here, would this just be strictly memorization?

Thanks again,

Merritt

> In a message dated 11/10/2006 9:17:05 P.M. Central Standard Time,

> pianoman330@... writes:

>

> First off, I'd like to thank you guys for helping me with my previous

> question in regards to the Metrics. It resolved a lot of my issues.

> However, there is still one that lyes. I'm not certain if there is a

> memorization method or formula, but I'm having the hardest time

> converting Grains. One particular site was very helpful, however I saw

> no pattern as far as remembering it. I get completely confused when I

> see for example:

>

> Order Reads: Nitroglycerine gr 1/150 sl prn for angina

> Nitroglycerine 0.4 mg tablets

> How many tablets are needed?

>

> I am aware that 1 gr is around the equivalence of 60 mg. However, I

> can't put two and two together. Is there a formula for this type of

> conversion or is it just simply cross multiplying. Any help would be

> appreciated.

>

> Regards,

> Merritt

>

> 1 / 150 = .006 gr x 60 = .36 mg answer 1 tablet of 0.4mg

> 1/ 150 = .006 gr x 65 = .39 mg same answer and it looks like they

were using

> 65 since 0.39 and 0.4 are about the same when you round up.

> Remember that a gr can be EITHER 60 or 65 mg. I have seen questions

that are

> worked with one or the other.

>

> Am I wrong on this? I hope not since I test in ONE WEEK

> AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGG.

>

>

> _www.cafepress.com/pharmacyshop_

(http://www.cafepress.com/pharmacyshop)

> for all your pharmacy gift giving needs. New holiday section added.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Merritt,

Oh my gosh, why would you memorize all that???? It can easily be calculated

in a few seconds, for example in your first one:

0.1mg = 1/600gr

1/600gr x 60gr/1mg = 60/600mg = 0.1mg

I would concentrate more on learning how to set up the conversion than doing

the memorizing - afterall, the calculation can always be used if you happen

to forget the exact equivalency!

Hope that helps & best of luck!

Lori in Las Vegas

On 11/11/06, Merritt <pianoman330@...> wrote:

>

> Thank you all for your prompt responses. My flash cards did show that

> a gr could be equivalent to either 60-65 mg. So thank you for clearing

> that up. However, my problem still lyes within the memorization aspect

> of the gr conversions. Is it strictly memory, or is there a mneumonic

> device that tells you:

>

> 0.1 mg = 1/600 gr

> 0.12 mg = 1/500 gr

> 0.15 mg = 1/400 gr

> 0.2 mg = 1/300 gr

> 0.3 mg = 1/200 gr

> 0.4 mg = 1/150 gr

> 0.5 mg = 1/120 gr

> 0.6 mg = 1/100 gr

> 0.8 mg = 1/80 gr

> 1 mg = 1/65 gr

>

> I don't see a pattern here, would this just be strictly memorization?

>

> Thanks again,

> Merritt

>

>

[Guest guest]

I found that teaching my students the " grain clock " (1 hr = 60 min; 1 gr =

60 mg) helps them easily learn the conversion (1/2 gr, 1/4 gr, and 3/4 gr are

easy to identify - I teach ratio:proportion to solve everything else). Once

they understand the " concept " I tell them that if the number in a multiple

choice question is close (but not exact to the 60 mg conversion) try 65 mg, then

64.8 mg. Most multiple choice answers would not have all 3 conversions as

a selection (unless the question explicitly told the student the conversion

equivalent).

Respectfully,

Anne LaVance

Texpert

[Guest guest]

The best way I explain the " difference " in grains to my students:

60 mg = natural substance (opiates, thyroid)

65 mg = synthetic (tylenol)

64.8 mg = electrolytes (NaHCO3)

Of course, a new graduate w/ a head full of lots o'knowledge, may not

remember this, that's why my other response regarding the grain clock comes in

handy.

Respectfully,

Anne LaVance

Texpert

[Guest guest]

Dear Christian,

You have no argument here. I have written many times that 64.8mg is the most

accurate conversion to 1 grain.

BUT the problem is the usage of 64.8 mg! The companies mainly use

1 grain = 65 or 1 grain = 60 mg.

This is just like 1 oz is not really 30 ml. It is somewhat less.

But it is rounded and usally 30ml is used.

The PTCB exam mainly uses the same. So for those of you who are studying,

feel free to use the 65 or 60mg = 1 grain where ever and which ever is

appropriate. Please go to the overflow site to folder: FAQ's where there is

a powerpoint tutorial on usage and conversion that I made early this year or

late last year. It also gives you some ideas as to when to use the 65 or the 60

mg.

Hope this helps others wo are studying.

Respectfully to all,

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

f/o

" Christian B. Oliver " <christianboliver@...> wrote:

Hey Jeanetta,

Here we go again with Grains!!!

I have seen only 2 scripts written in grains.

One was for Tylenol Codeine 1/2 Gr. or APAP/Codeine #3.

I also typed a Sched. 2 about a week ago for MSIR 1/4 Gr. or

Morpheine Sulfate Immediate Release 15 Mg.

So I am still inclined to believe that 1 Grain = 64.8 Mg unless it

is written for an opiate.

Best Wishes From South Texas,

Christian B. Oliver CPhT (TX)

> > In a message dated 11/10/2006 9:17:05 P.M. Central Standard

Time,

> > pianoman330@ writes:

> >

> > First off, I'd like to thank you guys for helping me with my

previous

> > question in regards to the Metrics. It resolved a lot of my

issues.

> > However, there is still one that lyes. I'm not certain if

there is a

> > memorization method or formula, but I'm having the hardest

time

> > converting Grains. One particular site was very helpful,

however I saw

> > no pattern as far as remembering it. I get completely

confused when I

> > see for example:

> >

> > Order Reads: Nitroglycerine gr 1/150 sl prn for angina

> > Nitroglycerine 0.4 mg tablets

> > How many tablets are needed?

> >

> > I am aware that 1 gr is around the equivalence of 60 mg.

However, I

> > can't put two and two together. Is there a formula for this

type of

> > conversion or is it just simply cross multiplying. Any help

would be

> > appreciated.

> >

> > Regards,

> > Merritt

> >

> > 1 / 150 = .006 gr x 60 = .36 mg answer 1 tablet of 0.4mg

> > 1/ 150 = .006 gr x 65 = .39 mg same answer and it looks like

they

> were using

> > 65 since 0.39 and 0.4 are about the same when you round up.

> > Remember that a gr can be EITHER 60 or 65 mg. I have seen

questions

> that are

> > worked with one or the other.

> >

> > Am I wrong on this? I hope not since I test in ONE WEEK

> > AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGG.

> >

> >

> > _www.cafepress.com/pharmacyshop_

> (http://www.cafepress.com/pharmacyshop)

> > for all your pharmacy gift giving needs. New holiday section

added.

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Jeanetta,

The grain clock was taught to me by my instructor back in '97, it is also in

several nursing books, so I think it's been around a while.

Love ya back

Anne

[Guest guest]

Jeanetta,

Of course! Isn't our goal Education?? There's nothing new out there - just

a way we were unware of previously - we've got to " share " , why reinvent the

wheel?!

Anne

[Guest guest]

Dear Anne,

I teach the grain clock as well and I give Trisha Buckland 'credit' for teaching

me that trick to pass on to my students! Don't know if she taught you or

reverse or??? but she is the person who I tell my class to thank! Hee!

Trisha if you are reading this come out from hiding! (actually I just got an

email from her!).

Yeah I tell them to try 65 or 60 as most mfg use those. But on a test I tell

them to try either and the one closest to a whole number is the one to use. I

teach them about 64.8 but we don't use it.

You are correct in a PTCB or other exam you will not find themusing three

different. And usually you will not findextremely close answers that you would

not know which one to use.

Thank you Anne as always for your input!

Love Jeanetta

InstructorCPhT@... wrote: I found that

teaching my students the " grain clock " (1 hr = 60 min; 1 gr =

60 mg) helps them easily learn the conversion (1/2 gr, 1/4 gr, and 3/4 gr are

easy to identify - I teach ratio:proportion to solve everything else). Once

they understand the " concept " I tell them that if the number in a multiple

choice question is close (but not exact to the 60 mg conversion) try 65 mg,

then

64.8 mg. Most multiple choice answers would not have all 3 conversions as

a selection (unless the question explicitly told the student the conversion

equivalent).

Respectfully,

Anne LaVance

Texpert

[Guest guest]

GREAT SCOTT of the Island!

What a GREAT way to explain it!

Love it!

Can I 'use it in my class'??? Can I put it in a tutorial??

Of course with credit to you Anne, TEXPERT, friend and Instructor???

Love Jeanetta

InstructorCPhT@... wrote: The best way I

explain the " difference " in grains to my students:

60 mg = natural substance (opiates, thyroid)

65 mg = synthetic (tylenol)

64.8 mg = electrolytes (NaHCO3)

Of course, a new graduate w/ a head full of lots o'knowledge, may not

remember this, that's why my other response regarding the grain clock comes in

handy.

Respectfully,

Anne LaVance

Texpert

[Guest guest]

Thanks when I get it done I will email ya first!

Jeanetta

InstructorCPhT@... wrote:

Jeanetta,

Of course! Isn't our goal Education?? There's nothing new out there - just

a way we were unware of previously - we've got to " share " , why reinvent the

wheel?!

Anne

[Guest guest]

Thanks!

I'll have to credit Trisha for showing me.

Thanks for bringing it forward on the posts.

I think it is in my tutorial somewhere with a credit to Trisha.

Jeanetta

InstructorCPhT@... wrote:

Jeanetta,

The grain clock was taught to me by my instructor back in '97, it is also in

several nursing books, so I think it's been around a while.

Love ya back

Anne