Dosage and Calculations

Jennerizer, ASN, RN · Mar 12, 2004

Yes, my school has math tests each semester & you need a 90 or better in order to pass. You get 3 tries, after that you are out of the program. They aren't that bad, but you do need to learn the equations & do the practice tests. Don't be afraid to ask for help from your instructor if you need it.

LeesieBug · Mar 12, 2004

Yes, my school has math tests each semester & you need a 90 or better in order to pass. You get 3 tries, after that you are out of the program. They aren't that bad, but you do need to learn the equations & do the practice tests. Don't be afraid to ask for help from your instructor if you need it.

Ditto, here. We have the exact same setup.

AmyB · Mar 12, 2004

Us too. Just get the basic equations in your head, and you'll do fine.

RNsweetie · Mar 12, 2004

yup, ours was 95% pass, three trys and then if you did not pass it then, you were withdrawn from that class (nursing skills) and that set your whole program back 1 year.....

I agree with the others the basic equations are essential and after that no big deal.

good luck

Erin

DustinRN · Mar 12, 2004

Hey, atleast you were able to get one wrong. :angryfire If we missed one problem then you got a chance to take another test about a week later. If you missed any on that test then you failed the class. Those were stressful just because you knew you couldn't miss any. All of our test were timed too. On the peds math we couldn't use a calculator. That was fun trying to answer 20 questions in 30 minutes with no calc.

You'll do just fine. Just study the equations. Go back over basic multiplication and division. If you're school is like mine then make sure you review long division. Nothing fancy.

thumper23 · Mar 12, 2004

We have the same thing except we have to get 100%, we have three chances to pass it and if we don't get 100% on the 3rd chance we are out of the program. I think we had around 25 questions this time, very's per instructor and each semester they decrease the time allowed to take it.Luckly I got 100% on the first try. Alot of people didn't though.

Michelle:uhoh3:

colleen10 · Mar 12, 2004

At my school you have to pass with a 94% but if you fail the first one you are given a chance to retake it within a week. If you fail that one then you are dropped from the program.

To be honest with you, the drug math wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be. There are a lot of good books out there that really break it all down for you. The book I have is called "Dimensional Analysis" and it's more of a lab book or manual. If your program has you learn the "dimensional analysis" way then I highly suggest this book.

The begininng of the book starts out with very basic math skills like how to count in tenths, hundredths, thous..... and how to move a decimal point. Then progresses to how to add, sub., multiply and divide decimals. It covers basic fractions like 5/3 and progresses from there.

It also has life size, color pictures of drug labels so you can actually see where you would find pertinent information if you had to calculate a drug dosage.

It's a good book for people that are math phobic or who have been out of school for a while and feel their math skills are rusty.

My school does not give instruction on how to do the calculations. We are given the book, told what chapters to read and what day to show up for the test. However, there was 5 week drug dosage class last summer that my school offered. I took it and felt very comfortable when it came time to take the test. Many of my classmates did not know about the class and so did not take it, while most of them passed the exam, they were very stressed out at having to teach themselves the drug math, practice problems and study for nursing classes and clinical. If you can, find out what drug calc. book or calculation method you will be using in your program and practice in advance of classes. You will be more prepared and less stressed when it comes time to take the big test.

Good luck and best wishes in your school endeavors!

Col

Chickp · Mar 12, 2004

Hello all-

I was just wondering the same exact thing. Our school requires you take a Calculation test each semester 90% or better w/ 2 tries.

Are there any websites w/ sample tests?

TIA

francine79 · Mar 12, 2004

At my college, during the first semester we were given I think 5 questions on each test about calculations. And our second semester we have 2 calculation tests. However, these grades are just included into our grade for the class. There is no minimum passing grade on the tests, but the tests do add up to be worth a whole letter grade. I guess we are kinda lucky. But they don't seem to be that difficult to do anyway.

purplemania, BSN, RN · Mar 12, 2004

you can purchase study guides to help you learn, plus there are websites on this topic. Start practicing. It is one the most important things to learn. By the time you graduate you will think the math is the easiest part of nursing.

Catma63 · Mar 12, 2004

I would have soooo been out. At my school, we have to pass with an 80...that's it. Still, some fail even with the second (which is the last) attempt.

I couldn't imagine the stress of having to get a 95! OMG!