Drug Calc Test for New Nurses

CritterLover, BSN, RN · Aug 16, 2005

well, you can pretty much expect to take a drug calc test anywhere you are hired. i've never been hired as a nurse without one. didn't you have to take them as a student?

it really shouldn't be too hard. a lot of if the dose is 200 mg and the pill is 100mg, how many pills do you give? or, the concentration is 20 mg/ml and the dose is 100 mg, how many ml do you give?

there will probably be some iv drip rates to calculate, too, possibly even with drop factors involved (your order reads to infuse 1000 ml over 8 hours....your tubing delivers 10 gtt/ml....how many drops a minute do you want?)

in general, either the math will be simple or you will be allowed to use a calculator. they arn't testing your math skills, but your ability to safely adminitster drugs.

good luck!!

KristinWW · Aug 16, 2005

well, you can pretty much expect to take a drug calc test anywhere you are hired. i've never been hired as a nurse without one. didn't you have to take them as a student?
it really shouldn't be too hard. a lot of if the dose is 200 mg and the pill is 100mg, how many pills do you give? or, the concentration is 20 mg/ml and the dose is 100 mg, how many ml do you give?
there will probably be some iv drip rates to calculate, too, possibly even with drop factors involved (your order reads to infuse 1000 ml over 8 hours....your tubing delivers 10 gtt/ml....how many drops a minute do you want?)
in general, either the math will be simple or you will be allowed to use a calculator. they arn't testing your math skills, but your ability to safely adminitster drugs.
good luck!!

thanks, critter! i know they have you take them everywhere, i'm just in panic mode after taking the nclex. math has always been my worst subject, and i have math-phobia :)

they will let me use a calculator, but they said test is also on drugs. had to take the tests in school, and i always passed, but this is the real thing.

CritterLover, BSN, RN · Aug 16, 2005

thanks, critter! i know they have you take them everywhere, i'm just in panic mode after taking the nclex. math has always been my worst subject, and i have math-phobia :)
they will let me use a calculator, but they said test is also on drugs. had to take the tests in school, and i always passed, but this is the real thing.

you are welcome :)

the drug questions are pretty predictable. know when to hold digoxin. that is almost guaranteed to be on there. some insulin admin questions, really stuff you should know and probably do know.

i had one facility give a truely tough drug/calc test, but they let you use a drug book.

i have never failed a drug test given by a prospective employer, but i did fail the very first one they gave in school -- a little too overconfident, i think :imbar .

remeber, their goal isn't to so much "test your knowledge," as it is to show that you are safe.

luvmyhorseangel · Aug 16, 2005

And I thought I was done with tests!
Can someone tell me about drug calc test for new nurses? IF I passed NCLEX (I'll know tomorrow), I am scheduled to begin my very first nursing position next week. However, I have to take a test immediately before I begin. I was only told that drug and drug calc questions would be on it, and it is 50 questions.
My brain is fried from studying for NCLEX; I can't take any more tests!

Good Morning! i took my test last week for my new job. They gave me a study guide that was 7 pages long. Talk about scared! LOL The test was only 70 questions, varying from calculations, administartions and lab values. It was not that tough because they gave me a study guide and I studied. My classmate also received a study guide at her place too. Dont worry u will remember way more than u think!

Good luck!

Schoolnursetrish39 · Aug 16, 2005

I know you are fried for sure I have been there.... but as other posters said its almost mandatory everywhere. My program had us do a dosage test each week for two years I kid you not... ... each semester if you didn't pass them you got kicked out.. this was a ADN program in Missouri I had to get 80% or better or just miss 2 on a test of 10 questions but when the dosage test at my first hospital came it was a breeze I suck at math so my instructors had me teach it to the first year students made me learn it well.

Your school might have a drug calc book around. Usually the hospital tests consist of some criticial care dosages in mcgs or just simple dosage calcs I always used ratio and proportion to do mine... sometimes they want to know general drug safety answers etc. I really can't say though probably depends on the Chief Nursing Officer I guess.

Just review as best you can and you should be ok... :) I wish I could be of more help to you.

And I thought I was done with tests!
Can someone tell me about drug calc test for new nurses? IF I passed NCLEX (I'll know tomorrow), I am scheduled to begin my very first nursing position next week. However, I have to take a test immediately before I begin. I was only told that drug and drug calc questions would be on it, and it is 50 questions.
My brain is fried from studying for NCLEX; I can't take any more tests!

KristinWW · Aug 16, 2005

Thanks, everyone! At this point I think it is the waiting for the NCLEX results that are making me crazy. I have picked up a pharm book a dozen times today intending to study, then put it down, thinking if I didn't pass, what's the point? Evil NCLEX......... :devil:

ellyodd · Nov 1, 2008

Math has always been my worst subject, and I have math-phobia

Ever heard of dyscalculia? It's "math dyslexia". Try a google search :)