I passed the pharmacology calculations test!

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

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Specializes in LTC, SNF, Rehab.

I am so relieved! That test was really tough. It took two tries, but I passed. I struggle with trying to convert grains & really wish we were allowed to use a calculator! I took me two tries, but I passed the 2nd time. About 1/2 my class passed/failed the first attempt, and it looks like about 1/2 of those who took it again did the same. They have one more try, though. I hope they can make it! In my program, the calculations test is the first grade we get in pharmacology & if you don't pass with an 80 by your third attempt, you can't continue the program. Are all programs that way?

So, in the real world, how much converting do you really do with the apothecary system?? Are there apothecary questions on the NCLEX PN and do they allow a calculator?

I had peds clinical orientation this morning & just realized, that my first experiences with giving injections and passing meds will be in peds! I was hoping to practice on adults first. I just hope my first attempt with an injection isn't on a screaming, wriggling, toddler.

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Congrats!!! :w00t:

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Specializes in Psych, geriatrics.

[color=#ffa07a][color=#a52a2a]yay!:yeah:

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I am so relieved! That test was really tough. It took two tries, but I passed. I struggle with trying to convert grains & really wish we were allowed to use a calculator! I took me two tries, but I passed the 2nd time. About 1/2 my class passed/failed the first attempt, and it looks like about 1/2 of those who took it again did the same. They have one more try, though. I hope they can make it! In my program, the calculations test is the first grade we get in pharmacology & if you don't pass with an 80 by your third attempt, you can't continue the program. Are all programs that way?

So, in the real world, how much converting do you really do with the apothecary system?? Are there apothecary questions on the NCLEX PN and do they allow a calculator?

I had peds clinical orientation this morning & just realized, that my first experiences with giving injections and passing meds will be in peds! I was hoping to practice on adults first. I just hope my first attempt with an injection isn't on a screaming, wriggling, toddler.

Your school does not allow the use of a calculator???!! WOW! No wonder you had to keep taking it! I pass my pharmacology calculations exam (100%), but we used a calculator (provided by the school, of course) We also had two chances to pass it (with a 90%), and if you fail after the 2nd time, then you was out the program.

I have never heard of the apothecary system (not yet anyway...) Out of curiosity, what school do you go to?

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Specializes in LTC, SNF, Rehab.

Gaston Community College in North Carolina. It's a tough program with a 100% NCLEX pass rate. And, we found out last week that we are approved accreditation by the NLNAC!!(I'm not really sure what that means, but apparently it's a big deal cuz our dept. head jumped thru lots of hoops to get this & she was soooo excited to tell us about it) Our dept head has been with the program since 1994 and is a member of the NCBON. This program is her baby & she is very old school & strict.

The apothecary system is an old, out dated system used my ancient pharmacists, witches & wizards. It uses fractions and roman numerals and has a whole slew of crazy rules. We had to remember a ton of equivalencies. Because the apothecary system is so inaccurate, you can't just memorized a few & work out the rest, you actually have to memorize them. The apothecary units we had to memorize were grains, drams, minims. Ounces, pints, and quarts are the same for apothecary and household. Most of the test questions for grains(think grains of wheat) were like this: The doctor orders a med grain 1/300. You have on hand 325mg tablets. How much do you give? Yeah. And NO calculator!!! Although, just before taking the 2nd test, I learned that I can divide 300/60 to get the amount in mg. Yeah, they don't teach us those tricks. We have to discover them on our own.

So, other schools don't require this? I so would have gotten 100% the first time if I had a calculator and no apothecary system!

I can't even imagine how many medication errors would be made if real world nurses had to do conversions like this! From what I hear, the nurses at our clinical sites call the pharmacy if they are unsure of a calculation.

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Specializes in PCU, LTC.

My NCLEX had apothecary questions on it, but I was supplied with a calculator.

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