decimal calculation question

Nursing Students NCLEX

Published

Hi guys! I took the NCLEX yesterday, and my brain is a little stumped on the one calculation question I had. The answer I got was 7.36. I have always rounded to the nearest 10th on all practice questions because thats what it always says is round to the nearest decimal. Well, I originally put 7.4 in the space, then I re-read the question, and it said to put your answer using one decimal... nothing more, nothing less than that, no instructions to round. So, I changed my answer and put 7.3, and I feel like I got it wrong. No big deal, until I read somewhere that if you get any medication calculations wrong on the NCLEX, you automatically fail... ***. Can someone help me out with understanding the wording on the questions? I'm anxiously awaiting to see if I passed or not :barf02:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

7.36 rounded to one decimal would be 7.4.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
7.36 rounded to one decimal would be 7.4.

The question did not say to round. That is why I am asking.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi! I found an example of a question that sounds similar to what you described. This is the link to the blog that has the question, Life after Nclex-RN, Here is a math calculation to help you review: An...

Hope this helps!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes, the question did say use one decimal place. Looking back now, I should have just rounded it to 7.4 since that was my original answer, but I completely second guessed myself because it didnt tell me to ROUND. I understand how to do math calculations, I'm just always used to the test saying to ROUND to the nearest tenth or ROUND to the nearest decimal. Not just leaving it at "use one decimal space" and not giving me further instructions. Thanks for the link!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Failing because of missing a drug calculation is absolutely not true. What made you think that it was? That's like saying you fail if you get one SATA wrong.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Failing because of missing a drug calculation is absolutely not true. What made you think that it was? That's like saying you fail if you get one SATA wrong.

Honestly, I read it somewhere, and about died. The NCLEX really can mess with your head, I was for sure that I didnt pass, and that I failed miserably when the computer shut off at 75 questions. BUT, I just looked on my BON this morning and there was my name with a license number! I'm an RN! I still can't believe I let my anxiety take over like that... a little embarrassing! Thanks for the kind words though!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Med Surg, Renal Care.
I just looked on my BON this morning and there was my name with a license number! I'm an RN!

Congratulations!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The very last NCLEX question I had was a dosage call question. Which at the time put me into a mini panic mode because it was #75 and we had been told that a dosage calc question means you're not doing so great. I calculated the problem out.... Twice, and rounded up accordingly. Then I re-read the question and realized it wasn't really a knowledge based dosage calc question, but likely an application one. The drug to be calculated in the question was heparin which is never rounded up. You may have had a similar question as mine and it may be why there was no mention of rounding your answer. Anywho, in my case at least that was question 75 for me. I braced myself (and hoped for #76) but my computer shut off. Was absolutely convinced I failed, and only did the PVT thing to solidify that I failed and to come up with a game plan for a 2nd try. But I passed. Biggest Jedi mind trick I've ever experienced so far. So to those thinking dosage calc is an indicator of NCLEX going badly, that's certainly not always the case.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment