100% dosage calculations?

[Coloradogrl]

I was sitting here looking at my dosage calculations book(& wondering why I decided to go to nursing school:lol2:) &I started thinking. My school requires a 100% on your dosage calculation test and allows you to take 1 retake test.

I understand why they require this but I was just wondering if most schools do this

[Lizzy6]

I graduated a while back from a community college. We had 2 tries to make 100%, if not, you were out of the program. If you study the book & practice, you should be fine.

[User123456]

i just tested out of dosage calc thank god thats over! lol till next semester anyway

[smk1, LPN]

Isn't there some kind of reference guide for conversion units? I'd think that would alleviate some of the problems. Are we expected to memorize the conversion units?

J

We have to memorize them.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

isn't there some kind of reference guide for conversion units? i'd think that would alleviate some of the problems. are we expected to memorize the conversion units?

j

there are all kinds of conversion tables on the internet and in some of your textbooks, medical dictionaries and nursing drug reference books. yes, you are expected to have memorized the most commonly used conversions for tests.

here are links to some conversion tables that are on the internet:

• http://www.tostepharmd.net/pharm/clinical/measurement.html
  
• http://www.accd.edu/sac/nursing/math/mathindex2.html - scroll to the bottom of this home page of this med calc tutorial. see the menu item that says "common conversion factors/equivalencies"? click the button next to it that says "go read" a conversion chart comes up for you.
  
• http://www.nurse-center.com/studentnurse/nur11.html - nursing formulas and conversions. includes a formula on how to do iv calculations.
  
• http://www.convert-me.com/en/ - convert me.com

[beth66335, BSN, RN]

We take a math test mid way through first semester, we only get one chance at it and we have to make an 80% or better. If we fail we drop Pharm, but we get to finish Foundations, clinicals and lab. We of course can't do meds at clinicals. We can't take classes in the spring because we don't have all core-reqs for them. We take Pharm again the next Fall plus the dratted Math Comp test ( better pass this time or your out!). Then in the spring we take our second semester classes, so we basically end up a year behind. I'm so glad I passed! I just found out we have a test like this every semester and it is 80% to pass each time with only one try! My problem is not the math, I can do it fine if there is no test pressure, I just have test anxiety in math. Also, I found out these tests don't count toward our final grade, so it won't help me pass Pharm! We also have to memorize conversions, but there is a table in our book. And we get to use calculators, thank goodness! We did lose one guy this go round, but he is young and has a good attitude about it.

[Pat_Pat RN]

I think 100% is a stretch. That is perfect. Is everyone perfect? No.

Lots of facilities have dosage calc sheets so you don't have to do the math. Plus in the "real" world, there are other tools available to help. Also you have other nurses to verify if you have a question or are not sure if you calculated right.

This has always been a pet-peeve of mine (Hypertension r/t Unfair requirements in college AEB Unrealistic test goals; Unrealistic life experiences)

If I have a question, I'm going to ask someone. THAT is the difference in a math test, and the real workplace.

I'll end with something that one of my professors said, I don't remember which one....something to remember.

"In the workplace it doesn't matter if you know the answer, it matters if you know where to go to find the answer."

Pat

[karenrnstudent]

We are expected to memorize the conversion units at my school.

[nrsx]

At my school, we need 100%. It's all or nothing! We also do NOT get to use calculators. That was fun :icon_roll

[User123456]

we had to memorize the conversions but it wasent that many i still cant get 8oz. equals a cup 2 cups is a pint 2 pints is a quart lol 1 dram is 4ml 60grains per mg. ahhhhhh the memories LOL we got to use calcs. I cant imagine how paniced id be if not but eewww!

[Carebear77]

My school requires 100% also.

[2bLPN_Tiff]

Wow! I am sorry to say our school only requires a 78% which is a low C at my school. Yeah the graading scale is really crazy where I go, but anyway midterms just came up for us and I think we have lost two from the class.

[trepinCT]

we are 100%, we can use calculators(provided by them) 3 tries by a certain date or your out..our first one is comung up in a couple of weeks..I am scared, but appreciate the higher standards..makes me work harder and study harder..I can see a 90% pass rate..but a 78%..?? way too low of a standard for math meds..scary..just because we have advances in healthcare that do most of teh work for us, does not lessen out LIABILITY if a mistake occurs( computers are people fed..remember that)..a judge doesnt care what teh computer says, or even what teh Dr says..YOU as the nurse are responsible for knowing your ranges and your math to be sure that you are giving the correct dose..not every situation will have the luxury of assistance from other nurses, or the luxury of time either..we need to sometimes think fast on our feet..knowledge is power..if we relied on technology only- then anyone could be a nurse..???