Has anyone started studying for medical dosage calculation test yet?

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Hi everyone...congrats on getting into Nursing school. Now, we all have to overcome our first challenge--The med dose exam :)) I started studying for it in the beginning of August from the required book called "Dosage Calculations" by Gloria D. Picker on almost the last two chapters :). So far so good, I don't have anything to complain about...It seems easy thus far. So what do you all think of it? Whats your favorite dosage calculation method? My favorite formula is the Desired/amount on hands X Quantity = X and ratio proportions.. I don't really like the dimensional analysis.

Our classes start on August 31 and first exam is on Sept 2, 90% is passing and there will be three tries.

I just took my math test, got a 90% passed.. OH thank god... it was my second time.. taking it... we get 3 tries then we are out..

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

We were talking about testing and remdial help, etc. This brat said "don't you have to work hard to fail this thing?" Even the professor gave her a nasty look. So many factors influence test taking, I couldn't believe how insensitive she was for a future nurse.

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You're lucky you have to pass with a score of 90%! My school it's a 100% and you get 5 tries. Just passed mine yesterday, it was my second attempt. I like the formula you use for dosage calculations vs. dimensional analysis.

Good luck in school!

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Hi everyone, well I took my med dose on Sept 2 (Friday) and I got a 100% :) on the first try. So proud of myself for passing. Your right Geneva007--some of the schools I know want 100%, some want 95% and very few want 90% ( like my school).

Good luck to all of you.

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I am in my first semester. We are using the clinical calculations book by Kee & Marshall. We are required to get a 100% and we get 3 attempts.

Here is my problem... They are NOT teaching us this stuff. It has been here is the book and good luck.

I have no problems with math - over the summer I took 97 and 99 for refresher. However, this is conversions from mg to g etc.

HELPPPPP

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how we do it. is we take what the doc ordered and write it first.. say 2g of drug1 but we have 200 mg tablets, how many pills will they need. im going to need a conversion. 1000 mg = 1 g between the dose ordered and the dose on hand.

so I put down 2g * 1000 mg/1g * 1tab/200mg

the math then would be 2g * 1000mg *1 tab /1g /200mg = you would give 10 tablets.

and if you need more help..check out the website below.. my school gave it to us to use to study.. there is a section for medication there

http://www.learningnurse.com/content/view/25/39/

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Ratio proportion is my tried and true method....can never go wrong. I didn't study for them @ all...basic math no need....I love math..besides @ my school you need college level math to get in.

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my school already had our dosage calc test (i just started the rn program), and each exam has 4 math questions, and we have a dosage calc test at the end of the semester. i got a 97% with using "Calculate with Confidence" by Deborah Gray Morris. The way i did my math, and all the nurses i talked to, used the:

Desired

-------- X Quanity = X

Have

When converting from gram to milligram, or whatever conversion needed (grains to milligrams) i used the ratio and proportion method.

gr 1 = 60 mg

just say you have gr 7, and you need to know how many mg that is:

gr 1 : 60 mg :: gr 7 : x mg

we don't have IV calc drips until next semester (maternal/neonatal and pediatrics!)

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Specializes in Operating Room.

i took my med math exam today it wasn't as hard as i thought it was going to be but i was so stressed i made careless mistakes left and right...i didn't pass but my school allows you to take it again up to two times before you completely fail out of the program...so i am not too worried about it

best advice take your time and read and if they give you enough time go over it again before you hand it in

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I HIGHLY recommend trying dimensional analysis. It's the most error proof system I have ever used! Our instructors only teach in dimensional analysis due to the trouble they have had with students making Ratio-Proportion mistakes.

I am not strong in math at all and have received a 100% on every dosage test since learning dimensional analysis! Give it a try, and good luck!!

I am also not the strongest in math, yet i have gotten a 100% on all my tests when i was using DA...and as long as u know the conversion factors, its so easy to whip through the problems :)

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