Calculations involving meters squared (ie. Body surface area)

[Birmingham87]

hey ppl

practising for the up coming exam and have come across some calc questions which involve doses which relate to meters squared values

for example:

give 240mg / meters squared (im assuming meters squared means the body surface area)

how do i work out the patients metered squared/BSA value when the question just gives me the weight (in KG) and the height (in mm). Is there not a table which gives me BSA values??

[culchie82]

The table you are talking about is in the back of the BNF it should equate height and weight with total body surface area. Do you not have a copy of the BNF?

[Birmingham87]

Ive got the 58 version of the bnf but i cant locate this table at the back of the bnf....what page is it on?

[culchie82]

I don't have that version handy, it's definitely there usually at the back near the cardiovascular guidelines. It's usually on shiny paper if I remember right, although it may have changed.

[Fleegle]

Check this out..hope it does the trick:

Body Surface Area BSA calculator medication doses

Fleeg.

Ps..Don't confuse BSA with BMI...totally different concepts.

[culchie82]

Yes BMI is the one use to tell if somebodies obese or not....... has it's limitations though, eg many rugby players would be in the obese category, when they quite clearly aren't (apart from maybe the props).

[difdif]

hey guys

can you share the full question?

does anyone know if the BNF doesnt contain a list of banned drugs in sports anymore?

cheers!

[Nik]

List available here:

UKAD - Prohibited List 2011

[Starcandle]

Body surface area tables are in the BNF for children, but not the adult version.