Talk:Reconstitution calculator / Archive 1
Archived discussion·1 closed thread
Does this page cross the line into instruction?Resolved
Raising this early because it will be raised eventually. A calculator that turns a dose into a syringe reading is a step closer to instruction than an article is. Project:Medical disclaimer says we describe rather than instruct.
My own view is that this page is on the right side of the line, because it selects nothing: the reader supplies the dose, and the tool performs a division they could do on paper. But the page should say so explicitly rather than relying on the reader to notice. — — Ref_Desk_Ron (talk) 09:41, 2 October 2024 (UTC)
Agreed on both counts. The distinction that matters is whether the tool has an opinion. This one does not — it has no idea what compound is in the vial and it will happily convert a nonsensical dose.
I would go further and have it refuse to suggest anything at all, including a "typical" starting value. The moment a default dose appears in the interface, the page acquires an opinion. — — DrTitration (talk) 11:18, 2 October 2024 (UTC)
That is a good rule and I have written it into the lead: the tool converts, it does not select. The default of 0.25 mg is there because a field needs a value, and it is described in §Worked examples as the first row of the table rather than as a recommendation. — — Ref_Desk_Ron (talk) 08:07, 3 October 2024 (UTC)
Support. One addition: the tool should show its working. A reader who can see "0.25 / 2.5 = 0.10 mL" learns the arithmetic and can check it; one who sees only the answer has to trust us. — — UnitsUrsula (talk) 14:52, 5 October 2024 (UTC)
Implemented — there is now a working line under the results. ✓ Done — — DrTitration (talk) 10:29, 6 October 2024 (UTC)