[VickyRN]

Nursing math book with extensive Internet tutorial available from Delmar publishers:

3 – 2 – 1 Calc! Comprehensive Dosage Calculations Online

http://www.delmarhealthcare.com/video_clips/321calc.swf

Cost is $48.95.

Uses content from revisions of Dosage Calculations, Math for Meds, and Dimensional Analysis...

Beginning with a diagnostic math pretest, and ending with two comprehensive posttests, eleven modules thoroughly cover both basic and advanced calculations. Realistic drug labels, syringes and equipment complement the range of calculation competencies-from reading medication labels to calculating flow rates for heparin infusion.

[tabymac]

My school advised us to purchase and study a dosage & calculations book and we take a test (50 ?'s) before each semester.
We do not get any instruction (they don't have a class to teach you the math) but the week before the exam they have a question & answer session to assist us with any burning questions before the exam.

They post the specific chapters we should study at the end of the previous semester - so you have ample time to prepare. I have found that this book is easy to understand - takes you back to the basics (so you can jump to the level you're most comfortable with) and they also cover several (2-3) different methods of solving problems - since math can be taught/learned different ways.
The book also teaches you short cuts, which I found very useful for testing purposes (some students fail the test because they don't finish...) check it out:

I have the 3rd edition: Calculate with Confidence by Morris, D.G. (2002) St. Louis: Elsevier ISBN: 0-323-01349X

the newest version: (2006) ISBN: 0-323-029280

Hope that helps

[Lesli61]

I got a workbook called 'Dosage Calculations' 7th Edition by Gloria Pickar. You can buy it at BarnesandNoble or Amazon.com It is a really great book. It shows you several different calculation methods, with lots of practice problems. The later chapters cover the more advanced topics, like titrating IV's and BSAs. There are comprehensive exams at the back so that you can test yourself. There are lots of diagrams and photos, and throughout the book they use sample MAR sheets and order sheets with hypothetical clinical situations and related questions.
My school offers majors in nursing, radiology, surg tech, etc. so everyone must take a basic 'applied math' class that covers dosage calcs along with basic algebra, geometry, and trig. I took the class by exam, after studying the book mentioned above, and passed with flying colors! I think Pickar's book may also come in handy as a reference later on.
Good Luck!

[tookewlandy]

I am almost finished with Dimensional Analysis for Meds by Curren and Munday; i cannot believe how good this book is. Further more i cannot believe i learned how to do dosage calculations. I used to think that i was bad at math, but now i am rethinking that idea and going with I have a fear of math. Every time I am faced with a math class or something i freak out, but i usually find it very easy to learn. So why am i always so afraid then find it so easy?

So all i have left is the "Adult and pediatric dose based on Body weight" chapter and Iv chapters and then I'm set. I think will find the iv calculation chapters the most difficult but in the refresher math section of the book i learned how to do the math portion of Iv calc easy enough.

i really REALLY recommend this book to anyone who is having trouble with dosage calculations, or has a fear of math, or wants to get a head start with the subject like i did. The book not only teaches dosage calc's, but also how to read medication labels, syringes, things about insulin, reconstituting powder drugs, it goes into alot of detail WITHOUT being hard to follow, believe me if i can follow it anyone can. it was well worth the $50. Anyone dare to challenge me with a dosage calculation j/k!!!!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/076...lance&n=283155

Andy

[Carla25]

My school taught us dimensional analysis, but if you know ratio proportion it was okay too. I would just start studying your values first then try your math.
Example: 15 grains = 1 Gram; 1 gram = 1000 milligrams

I attached some conversions that helped me in pharmocology

[emtb2rn]

Originally Posted by tookewlandy

Ok i went out and bought htis Dimensional analysis for meds book and as i posted this has helped me lots, But the school wants us to buy a book called CALCULATE WITH CONFIDENCE. It says i teaches DA and ratio and proportion, and FORMULA(what is formula).

Yeah, my school wants me to get Calulate with Confidence too. I already picked up Pickar's Dosage Calculations based comments here, so I'm gonna just use that for now. We'll see what happens...

[emtb2rn]

Here's a really good Dimensional Analysis website: http://www.alysion.org/dimensional/analysis.htm

[puggymae]

I teach dosage calculations - the reason many students are unsuccessful in my class is one of two things: 1 - they cannot do simple elementary school math calculations. You don't have to be able to do calculus - just add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. 2- the student never learned their conversion factors (1 kg = 2.2 lbs for example) and abbreviations. If you do not understand something in class tell the teacher right then. Other people probably don't get it either, and if you don't tell the instructor you don't get it, the instructor assumes that you do. Sooo.. brush up on your math skills, make sure you know your abbreviations and conversions, and tell your instructor if you don't grasp a certain concept. Good luck!

[VickyRN]

Great website!!!!


Bonnie and Jill's Practical Approach to Dosage Calculations

[poor25]

Does anyone know a good/quick way to learn the equivalent units for converting from household to apothecary or metric. I am working on dosage calculations and the math practicum is on Saturday and I am still struggling to remember anything.