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Math Calculations for Pharmacy Technicians

A Worktext

  • 5th book:metaData.edition - January 15, 2026
  • book:metaData.latestEdition
  • common:contributors.author Elaine Beale
  • publicationLanguages:language

Master the math skills needed to calculate drug dosages safely and accurately! Math Calculations for Pharmacy Technicians, 5th Edition, covers the competencies required by the Amer… seeMoreDescription

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Master the math skills needed to calculate drug dosages safely and accurately! Math Calculations for Pharmacy Technicians, 5th Edition, covers the competencies required by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Designed specifically for pharmacy technicians, the book includes a review of basic math, conversions between measurement systems, interpretation of drug labels and physicians' orders, and calculation of medications based on a patient's age, body weight, or body surface area. Two basic methods of calculating drug dosages are described: ratio/proportion and dimensional analysis. Simplifying calculation concepts, Elaine Beale’s worktext breaks down calculations, provides examples, and contains hundreds of practice problems to help you develop calculation confidence and prepare for a successful career as a pharmacy technician.

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  • Hundreds of practice problems help you to achieve mastery of calculations, conversions, and measurements
  • Step-by-step examples follow the written explanation of a calculation to break down complex formulas into more manageable building blocks
  • UNIQUE! Body system icons next to medication names help you learn to associate drugs with their respective disorders and body systems
  • Chapter pretests and posttests help you assess your comprehension as well as areas of strength and areas for improvement
  • Learning features throughout the book focus your attention on alerts to prevent medication errors, on review of key concepts, and on realistic on-the-job situations
  • Key terms include definitions and are accompanied by a back-of-book glossary for reference

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Pharmacy Technician Students

promoMetaData.tableOfContents

Section I: Introduction and Basic Math Skills

1. Abbreviations, Symbols, and Basic Mathematical Skills for Health Occupations

2. Review of Basic Mathematical Skills

Section II: Measurements and Conversions Used in Health Care Occupations

3. Conversion of Clinical Measurements of Numbers, Time, and Temperature

4. Measurement Systems, Units, and Equivalencies

5. Conversions Within Measurement Systems

6. Conversions Between Measurement Systems

Section III: Calculations With Prescriptions and Medication Orders

7. Interpretation of Prescriptions, Medication Orders, and Stock Labels

8. Calculation of Oral Solid Doses

9. Calculation of Oral Liquid Doses

10. Calculation of Injectable Doses

11. Interpreting Physicians’ Orders for Dosages and Days’ Supply Section

IV: Special Medication Calculations

12. Calculation of Doses by Age, Body Weight, and Body Surface Area

13. Calculations With Ratio and Percentage Strengths

14. Calculations for Simple Dilutions, Mixtures, and Compounding

15. Calculations for Preparation of Intravenous Infusions

Section V: Business Math

16. Pharmacy Business Math

promoMetaData.productDetails

  • productDetails.edition: 5
  • book:metaData.latestEdition
  • productDetails.published: March 19, 2026
  • publicationLanguages:languageTitle: publicationLanguages:en

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EB

Elaine Beale

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Program Director and Instructor, Pharmacy Technician Program, Paul D. Camp Community College, Franklin, VA, USA