Welcome to Nursing Tools
Your complete free clinical toolkit with 12 tools plus quick links to other helpful FreeWWW resources. No signup required!
Built-In Tools
Dosage Calculator
Calculate medication doses
IV Drip Rate
Flow rates in mL/hr and gtt/min
Pediatric Dosing
Weight-based dosing
CrCl / GFR
Creatinine clearance
Glasgow Coma Scale
Interactive GCS scoring
NEWS2 Score
Early Warning Score
APGAR Score
Newborn assessment
Blood Glucose
mg/dL ↔ mmol/L
Vitals Reference
Normal ranges by age
Pain Scales
Assessment tools
Lab Values
Normal lab ranges
Drug Compatibility
IV compatibility
Medication Dosage Calculator
Calculate volume or quantity to administer based on prescribed dose and available concentration.
IV Drip Rate Calculator
Calculate flow rate in mL/hr and drops per minute for IV infusions.
Pediatric Dosage Calculator
Calculate weight-based dosing for pediatric patients with optional max dose capping.
Creatinine Clearance & GFR
Estimate renal function using the Cockcroft-Gault equation with optional IBW adjustment.
📊 CKD Staging
G1 (≥90): Normal or high
G2 (60-89): Mildly decreased
G3a (45-59): Mild-moderate decrease
G3b (30-44): Moderate-severe decrease
G4 (15-29): Severely decreased
G5 (<15): Kidney failure
⚠️ Important Notes
• Cockcroft-Gault estimates CrCl, not eGFR
• Uses adjusted body weight if obese
• Less accurate at extremes of age/weight
• Round SCr up to 1.0 in elderly if very low
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
Assess level of consciousness. Click to select responses in each category.
👁️ Eye Opening (E)
💬 Verbal Response (V)
💪 Motor Response (M)
📊 Interpretation
15: Normal consciousness
13-14: Minor brain injury
9-12: Moderate brain injury
3-8: Severe brain injury (coma)
≤8: Consider intubation
⚠️ Important Notes
• Document individual scores (E+V+M)
• Note if intubated (V=1T)
• Reassess frequently in acute settings
• Consider pupil reactivity alongside GCS
NEWS2 Score Calculator
National Early Warning Score 2 - assess clinical deterioration risk in real-time.
📊 Clinical Response
0: Low risk - routine monitoring
1-4: Low risk - ward-based monitoring
5-6 or 3 in one: Medium - urgent response
≥7: High - emergency response
⚠️ Red Flags
• Score of 3 in any single parameter
• New confusion (even with low score)
• SpO₂ requiring supplemental O₂
• Clinical concern despite low score
APGAR Score Calculator
Rapid assessment of newborn status at 1 and 5 minutes after birth. Click to select.
💗 Appearance (Color)
💓 Pulse (Heart Rate)
😣 Grimace (Reflex Irritability)
💪 Activity (Muscle Tone)
🫁 Respiration
📊 Interpretation
7-10: Normal - routine care
4-6: Moderately depressed - stimulation/O₂
0-3: Severely depressed - resuscitation needed
⏱️ Timing
• Score at 1 minute and 5 minutes
• If <7, repeat at 10, 15, 20 min
• Record all scores in chart
• Document interventions given
Blood Glucose Converter
Convert between mg/dL (US) and mmol/L (International) units instantly.
📊 Fasting Glucose Ranges
Normal: 70-99 mg/dL (3.9-5.5 mmol/L)
Prediabetes: 100-125 mg/dL (5.6-6.9 mmol/L)
Diabetes: ≥126 mg/dL (≥7.0 mmol/L)
🍽️ Random/Post-Meal
Normal: <140 mg/dL (<7.8 mmol/L)
Prediabetes: 140-199 mg/dL (7.8-11.0 mmol/L)
Diabetes: ≥200 mg/dL (≥11.1 mmol/L)
⚠️ Critical Values
Hypoglycemia: <70 mg/dL (<3.9 mmol/L)
Severe hypo: <54 mg/dL (<3.0 mmol/L)
DKA threshold: >250 mg/dL (>13.9 mmol/L)
HHS concern: >600 mg/dL (>33.3 mmol/L)
🧮 Conversion Formula
mg/dL × 0.0555 = mmol/L
mmol/L × 18.02 = mg/dL
Molecular weight of glucose: 180.2 g/mol
Vital Signs Reference
Normal ranges for vital signs across all age groups.
| Age Group | Heart Rate (bpm) | Resp Rate (/min) | Systolic BP | Diastolic BP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn (0-1 mo) | 120-160 | 30-60 | 60-90 | 30-60 |
| Infant (1-12 mo) | 80-140 | 25-50 | 80-100 | 55-65 |
| Toddler (1-3 yr) | 80-130 | 20-30 | 90-105 | 55-70 |
| Preschool (3-5 yr) | 80-120 | 20-25 | 95-110 | 60-75 |
| School age (6-12 yr) | 70-110 | 18-22 | 100-120 | 60-75 |
| Adolescent (13-18 yr) | 60-100 | 12-20 | 110-135 | 65-85 |
| Adult | 60-100 | 12-20 | <120 | <80 |
📊 BP Categories (Adult)
Normal: <120/<80 mmHg
Elevated: 120-129/<80 mmHg
Stage 1 HTN: 130-139/80-89 mmHg
Stage 2 HTN: ≥140/≥90 mmHg
Crisis: >180/>120 mmHg
🌡️ Temperature
Normal: 97.8-99.1°F (36.5-37.3°C)
Low-grade fever: 99.1-100.4°F
Fever: >100.4°F (>38°C)
High fever: >103°F (>39.4°C)
Hypothermia: <95°F (<35°C)
💓 Heart Rate Notes
Bradycardia (adult): <60 bpm
Tachycardia (adult): >100 bpm
Athletes: 40-60 bpm may be normal
Fever effect: +10 bpm per °C rise
🫁 Respiratory Notes
Tachypnea (adult): >20/min
Bradypnea (adult): <12/min
Normal SpO₂: 95-100%
Hypoxia: <90%
Pain Assessment Scales
Reference guide for various pain assessment tools used in clinical practice.
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (0-10)
👶 FLACC Scale (0-10)
F - Face: 0=Relaxed, 1=Occasional grimace, 2=Frequent grimace/clenched jaw
L - Legs: 0=Relaxed, 1=Restless/tense, 2=Kicking/drawn up
A - Activity: 0=Lying quietly, 1=Squirming/shifting, 2=Arched/rigid/jerking
C - Cry: 0=No cry, 1=Moans/whimpers, 2=Crying steadily/screams
C - Consolability: 0=Content/relaxed, 1=Reassured by touch, 2=Difficult to console
🔍 PQRST Assessment
P - Provokes/Palliates: What makes it better or worse?
Q - Quality: Sharp, dull, burning, aching, stabbing?
R - Region/Radiates: Where is it? Does it spread?
S - Severity: Rate 0-10 on numeric scale
T - Timing: When did it start? Constant or intermittent?
👴 PAINAD Scale (Dementia)
Breathing: 0=Normal, 1=Occasional labored, 2=Noisy/long hyperventilation
Vocalization: 0=None, 1=Occasional moan/groan, 2=Loud moaning/crying
Facial expression: 0=Smiling/neutral, 1=Sad/frightened, 2=Facial grimacing
Body language: 0=Relaxed, 1=Tense/pacing, 2=Rigid/fists clenched/striking
Consolability: 0=No need, 1=Distracted/reassured, 2=Unable to console
😊 Wong-Baker FACES Scale
0: 😊 No hurt - very happy
2: 🙂 Hurts just a little bit
4: 😐 Hurts a little more
6: 😟 Hurts even more
8: 😢 Hurts a whole lot
10: 😭 Hurts worst imaginable
Laboratory Values Reference
Common lab normal ranges for adult patients. Values may vary by laboratory.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
WBC (White Blood Cells)
RBC (Red Blood Cells)
Hemoglobin (Hgb)
Hematocrit (Hct)
Platelets
MCV (Mean Corpuscular Vol)
Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)
Sodium (Na)
Potassium (K)
Chloride (Cl)
CO₂ / Bicarbonate
BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen)
Creatinine
Glucose (Fasting)
Calcium
Liver Function & Coagulation
AST (SGOT)
ALT (SGPT)
Alkaline Phosphatase
Total Bilirubin
PT (Prothrombin Time)
INR
PTT / aPTT
Albumin
Cardiac & Other
Troponin I
BNP
Magnesium
Phosphorus
HbA1c
TSH
IV Drug Compatibility
| Drug | Incompatible With | Compatible With | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heparin | Diazepam, Phenytoin, Vancomycin, Amiodarone | Most antibiotics, Morphine, D5W, NS | Verify concentration-specific |
| Insulin | Most medications | NS, some electrolytes | Dedicated line preferred; binds PVC tubing |
| Phenytoin | Dextrose solutions, most drugs | NS only | Precipitates in dextrose; flush with NS |
| Furosemide | Dopamine, Dobutamine, Amiodarone, Ciprofloxacin | NS, D5W (diluted) | Alkaline pH - many incompatibilities |
| Amiodarone | Heparin, Furosemide, Sodium bicarbonate | D5W preferred | Central line for continuous infusion |
| Calcium gluconate | Phosphate, Bicarbonate, Ceftriaxone | NS, D5W | NEVER mix with ceftriaxone - fatal precipitate |
| Potassium chloride | Amphotericin B, Diazepam | Most IV solutions | Max 10 mEq/hr via peripheral line |
| Vancomycin | Heparin, Cefepime, Albumin, Phenytoin | NS, D5W | Infuse over ≥60 min to prevent Red Man syndrome |
| Dopamine | Sodium bicarbonate, Furosemide, Insulin | D5W, NS | Protect from light; use infusion pump |
| Norepinephrine | Sodium bicarbonate, Insulin | D5W, NS | Central line required; monitor for extravasation |
| Magnesium sulfate | Calcium salts, Sodium bicarbonate | NS, D5W, LR | Monitor deep tendon reflexes |
| Sodium bicarbonate | Calcium, Dopamine, Norepinephrine, most drugs | NS, D5W (separate line) | Highly alkaline - precipitates many drugs |
✅ General Rules
• When in doubt, use separate IV lines
• Flush between incompatible drugs (10-20 mL NS)
• Watch for precipitation, cloudiness, or color change
• Follow institutional policies and guidelines
🚫 High-Alert Incompatibilities
Ceftriaxone + Calcium: Fatal precipitate - contraindicated
Phenytoin + Dextrose: Crystal formation - use NS only
Amphotericin B + Saline: Precipitation - use D5W
Diazepam + anything: Binds to PVC tubing - dedicated line
💉 Common IV Solutions
NS: 0.9% Sodium Chloride (Normal Saline)
D5W: 5% Dextrose in Water
D5NS: 5% Dextrose in Normal Saline
LR: Lactated Ringer's Solution
½NS: 0.45% Sodium Chloride