Calculations

A to Z Drug Facts

Calculations



Commonly Used mEq Weights
Chloride 35.5 mg = 1 mEq Magnesium 12 mg = 1 mEq
Sodium 23 mg = 1 mEq Potassium 39 mg = 1 mEq
Calcium 20 mg = 1 mEq    


To calculate creatinine clearance (Ccr) from serum creatinine:

To calculate ideal body weight (kg):

Male = 50 kg + 2.3 kg (each inch > 5 ft) Female + 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg (each inch > 5 ft)

To calculate body surface area (BSA) in adults and children:

To approximate surface area (m2) of children from weight (kg):

Weight range (kg) » Surface area (m2)
1 to 5
6 to 10
11 to 20
21 to 40		 (0.05 × kg) + 0.05
(0.04 × kg) + 0.10
(0.03 × kg) + 0.20
(0.02 × kg) + 0.40


Suggested Weights for Adults
Height1 Weight in pounds2
4'10" 91–119
4'11" 94–124
5'0" 97–128
5'1" 101–132
5'2" 104–137
5'3" 107–141
5'4" 111–146
5'5" 114–150
5'6" 118–155
5'7" 121–160
5'8" 125–164
5'9" 129–169
5'10" 132–174
5'11" 136–179
6'0" 140–184
6'1" 144–189
6'2" 148–195
6'3" 152–200
6'4" 156–205
6'5" 160–211
6'6" 164–216
1 Without shoes.
2 Without clothes.

The higher weights in the ranges generally apply to people with more muscle and bone. Source: Nutrition and Your Health: Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 4th ed, 1995. US Department of Agriculture, US Department of Health and Human Services. At press time, these new guidelines had not been officially released. It is possible some changes to this chart will occur.

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Copyright © 2003 Facts and Comparisons
David S. Tatro
A to Z Drug Facts