[2bnursestef]

Just wondering...are your drug calculations test timed? If so how much time do you get per question? Also as you progress through your program are you required to get faster with taking these tests? Thanks for the info.

[locolorenzo22]

Hey, stef,
my program requires 3 dosage tests....the first one in 1st semester was 10 questions..and basic med(tablet and reading syringes), we did it as a unit test.
For 2nd and 4th semester, we have a 10 question test we MUST pass with 100%, but we get 3 attempts at each test....
It's never been timed(more than the usual 1/2 hour for 10 questions...totally doable), and we do NOT have to get faster at it...however, you will. Especially when you're on the clinical floor, drawing up a med, and CI is waiting for you so you can go push it, and then she has to check 3 other students who want to do procedures..etc....
just practice and relax...you'll be fine.

[APBT mom]

The way did our calculation exams was two minutes for every question on the test. The time frame was always the same and someone always asked how many questions were on the test the day before. However, every programs different so I would ask my instructor these questions so you know how much time you have.

Like the previous poster said you'll have to do them a lot quicker once you get on the floor but right now your new to these problems so they usually give you more time.

[2bnursestef]

I wanted to explain why Im asking these questions. At my program we are self taught the Math. 1st semester you have to make 3- 90% or 90% on comprehensive final exam. We were timed on the first test. Given 2 minutes per question then after half the class not making the 90% the teacher gave everyone more time. The final was as much time as needed. Now in 2nd semester we have to take a test the first day of class. the class was given 1 1/2 hrs to do 20 questions these were pretty standard questions that were given you had to make a 90%. I made a 100% But a very close friend of mine ..who is going thru a very stressful time with her husband and child did not make the 90% so she had to retake the test. On our calendar it showed a 1 hr time slot of the make up. When she got there she was handed NEW set of rounding rules and she was given 2 minutes per question. She did not pass the second try as she got nervous when the 10 min warning was called and she still had 7 questions left. This test was more complex, multi step questions. We have heard that by 4th semester you only get 1 1/2 min per question. Our school lost 10 people 4th semester because of this. Our school makes people fail that class if you dont pass that test by the second try and then they make you retake the prior class before you can move on. We dont understand the logic behind that. My friend is meeting with the dean of nursing to go over all this and Im trying to see if this is the norm or what.

Thanks everyone for your help. The more supporting data to help her the better chance my friend can get back into the program.

[APBT mom]

Ever program is different and they have their own rules ragarding tests. At my school in the student services they have workbooks for dosage calculations that you can take and practice with. Have you also searched the internet and on here, there are websites that have pre tests with dosage calculations on them. Practice, practice, practice is the only way you'll get wuicker at doing these type of questions. Also make yourself a cheat sheet with conversions on it and memorize that to make soliving the problems quicker.

The way your school does students when they fail is the same way at my school excpet they allow you to take the final for the previous two classes first. You get two chances if you fail the final the second time you have to repeat the class regardless of the grade you got the last time. It's to make sure that the student still understands what's going on in the last class so when they get back to where they failed they won't have the same problem. Sucks but at least they allow you to reapply and try again.