Dimensional Analysis as a Nurse?

[MikeyJ]

In NS they teach us to use dimensional analysis when faced with med math. I am curious if practicing nurses actually use dimensional analysis everytime they are doing a calculation, or does it just become second nature?

Ex: The order is to administer 4 g of an antibiotic mixed in 100 mL to run over 40 minutes. The tubing label reads 15 gtts = 1 ml. What is the drip rate of the infusion per minute?

I know the answer is 38 gtts/min -- however, in the hospital do nurses actually whip out the pen and paper and do dimensional analysis, or what? Just curious! :)

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

In NS they teach us to use dimensional analysis when faced with med math. I am curious if practicing nurses actually use dimensional analysis everytime they are doing a calculation, or does it just become second nature?

Ex: The order is to administer 4 g of an antibiotic mixed in 100 mL to run over 40 minutes. The tubing label reads 15 gtts = 1 ml. What is the drip rate of the infusion per minute?

I know the answer is 38 gtts/min -- however, in the hospital do nurses actually whip out the pen and paper and do dimensional analysis, or what? Just curious! :)

My observations and experience tell me that they whip out their pens and use whatever formula works for them. I am a dimensional analysis fan...the ratio:proportion method confused me, the desired/have method did, also. I think that my school taught dimensional analysis because one of our math dosages professors wrote the textbook they currently use and my professor in particular stated that it is best to use the method that sits best with you. I was horrible in math, and the DA method was the only way I can see it. It took a bit longer, but I saw what I needed to see to get the answer.