Failed drug calculations quiz, need some encouragement...

GLORIAmunchkin72 · Sep 14, 2010

Cheer up! Your problem looks very fixable with a little practice. Don't overlook all your other achievements....:)

REDDOG RN · Sep 15, 2010

Katie803--

Okay, so let's set up the problems here:

Problem #1: The order calls for 1/100 gr and you have on hand 1/150 gr per 2 mls. How many milliliters would you administer?

This is what I would do:

1. Change 1/100 gr to decimal form. This equals 0.01 gr.

2. Change 1/150 gr to decimal form. This equals 0.006 gr. So there is 0.006 gr per 2 mls. (0.006 gr = 2 mls)

3. So were gonna make an algebra equation here:

0.01 gr Xmls

0.006 gr X 2 mls

Sorry this equation looks so bad. The "X" between the two equations should be in the middle!

You put the 0.01 gr on top (because that is what you want) and what you have--0.006 gr on the bottom. You put the Xmls on top (because that is what you want to know the mls) and what you have--2 mls on the bottom.

I would next cross out the "gr" on the first side of the equation because they cancel each other out. (Because you ultimately want "mls"). Do this before you cross multiply.

After you've done that then cross multiply. You should end up with:

0.006X = 0.02 mls

Next you would do this:

0.006X 0.02

0.006X = 0.006

(Again the "=" should be in the middle between the two equations--god, my computer skills suck!). You divide the first part because you want the "X" by itself on the left side. So you would cancel out the 0.006 on the top and bottom. Now hopefully you remember what they said in algebra "What you do to one side you have to do to the other." So you would divide the 0.02 by 0.006 (like I set up above). So after you do this your answer would look like this:

X = 3.3 mls

So as the nurse you would administer 3.3 mls.

Problem #2: The order calls for 0.0006 grams. You have on hand 1/200 gr tablets. How many tablets would you administer?

Step #1: You need to figure out how many grains are in .0006 grams.

Step#2: 1 gr = 60 mg (1 gr = 0.06 grams). Memorize, memorize, memorize these two conversions! But were going to pretend that you don't know the grams part. Because many times you have to do multiple calculations in order to get to the unit that you want. So I want you to know how to do it--just in case.

Step#3: So we need to convert 0.0006 grams to grains. Well, we know that 1 gr = 60 mg. But first we need to convert 60 mg to grams. Here's how you do it:

1000 mg = 1 gram

You've got 2 options in how you want to set it up:

Option #1

60 mg

1000mg X 1 gram =

Option #2

60 mg x gram

1000mg X 1 gram =

I'm going to use option #2 for the example. Again on the left side, cancel out the "mg" (ultimately want "grams"). Now cross multiply. You end up with:

1000X = 60 grams

So again you want the "X" by itself on the left side. So you would divide top and bottom by 1000. Here we go again with that stupid Algebra rule: "What you do to one side you must do to the other." So we need to divide the right side by 1000.

1000X 60

1000X = 1000

So after you do this, your answer should look like this:

X = 0.06 grams Whew! That was exhausting! Okay, now back to our story...............

Step #4: So now that we know that 0.06 grams is equal to 1 grain, we need to find out how many grains are in 0.0006 grams. So here's goes our algebra equation again:

0.0006 grams X grains

0.06 grams X 1 grain

You put the 0.0006 grams on top (because that's how many grams you have) and the 0.06 grams on the bottom (0.06 grams = 1 grain). You put the X grains on top (because that is what you want to know the grains) and the 1 grain on the bottom (because you know that 0.06 grams = 1 grain). Next cross out the "grams" on the left side of the equation (you ultimately want "grains"). Again do this before you cross multiply. Once you cross multiply you should end up with this:

0.06X = 0.0006 grains

So you divide the left side by 0.06 because you want the "X" by itself. So now you need to divide the right side by 0.06 as well. So after you do that you should end up with:

X = 0.01 grains

So now we know that 0.0006 grams = 0.01 grains.

Step #5: Now you need to convert 1/200 gr to decimal form. This equals 0.005 gr. So there is 0.005 gr in each tablet. (0.005 gr = 1 tablet).

We're in the home stretch...............................So stay with me!!!

Step #6: So now that we know that 1 tablet is equal to 0.005 grains and that 0.0006 grams is equal to 0.01 grains, now we just need to plug in the numbers. So here's how you would set it up:

0.01 grains X tablets

0.005 grains X 1 tablet

Cross out "grains" on left side. Cross multiply. Here's what you should have:

0.005X = 0.01 tablets

Divide left side by 0.005 to get "X" by itself. Then you divide the right side by 0.005. So after you do that you should end up with:

X = 2 tablets

So as the nurse you would administer 2 tablets.

I really hopes this helps you. Like I said before, it really helped me alot when my tutor broke everything down to the most basic steps. Then I really understood why I was doing what I was doing (if that makes any sense!). Again you can PM if you want additional help.

I think I better sign off here for a bit, as I've spent 3 hours outlining and typing this and my boyfriend is beginning to whine, so I better go spend some time with him! But like Arnold S. (the dude from "Terminator") says, "I'll be back!!"

Take care!!!

Shar81 · Sep 15, 2010

Katie, if i were you i would request a forbearance on my loans untill i could register for the next term thus there would be no need to pay them off. If not i would take non nursing classes instead. There is a class that i've heard is a good class for pharm calculations online at ccc.online. Its a one credit class, i plan on taking it in October to help me with calculations before i start nursing school. I think it's a little over 200.00 but its all online. I've heard its a great class from this forum, you should give it a shot before you can reapply to your class.

Ronniern · Sep 15, 2010

Katie,

I am very sorry to hear about the challenges you are facing as a result of a failed math quiz and marital issues. We all experience some sort of problems no matter who we are. We are great at some things, good at some and mediocre at others. When I started nursing school in 1997, I had a friend who was expelled from the program because of some social issues she was having. She experienced a lot of pain but she never gave up. She was able to complete the program at another college and has been working as a RN for a number of years. I say this to say that failing the math quiz is not the end of the road. There are many routes to take when you are going on a journey, which of course takes careful planning and navigation. Some routes have more traffic and some have less. You will eventually get to your destination even if you are on the busy route. Sometimes it is necessary to make rest stops to refresh yourself and then continue on your journey. At the end of the day you will become the winner because you would have taken the time to think about some of the things that are barriers for you.

As for the student loan, you can ask for a deferment of your loan payment due to financial hardship. In many cases, they will give you up to 6 months and even a year or more. Call up your lender and ask them for one.

I hope my story here will inspire you

It took me about 4 years going to school part-time to get all my electives done before applying to nursing school. I transferred with a 3.8 GPA and felt real good about myself. However, my first course was pharmacology and I had it in the summer time, along with chemistry 110 and microbiology. I was petrified because my nursing school told me I had to get the pharmacology done the summer before starting nursing school. I ended getting a C-. Of course I was devastated, I had never gotten that kind of grade before in college! My self esteem went to a zero(:

This did not hinder me though, I persisted and endured and graduated from nursing school with everyone else in my class. Sometimes I look back and wonder how I did it. I have to say that the good Lord gave me the strength to make it. I have been a nurse now for over 11 years.

I was married with two very small children, had a job and was going to school then without any family support from extended families or even friends.

You can do it ........please re evaluate to see where you are going wrong. Some professional help may be worthwhile. I was reading a book and I was struck by something the writer said. "You are your thoughts" Think positive, you may be down but not under. Do not give up, carry on for your family. You have a lot of strength and you have the power to change your course.

Good luck.

Ronniern

the_london_sky · Sep 15, 2010

Katie--- I feel for you. Vacation sounds like a wonderful idea. Also this website helped me alot..

http://www.dosagehelp.com/

LuckyinKY · Sep 15, 2010

Why on earth would you round 940 to 1000? You always round to the nearest whole number. What calculation requires you to do this. For example, if your answer for an IV calc says 106.6 mls/hr, you would set the pump at 107 mls/hr. I don't really understand why you would have to do this. Have you got an example?

It was 1 quart equals 946.xx mL, but on Procalc, it was 1 quart = 1 L or 1000 mL. I guess it was meant to keep it simple, but I am used to knowing more exact conversions.

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Sep 15, 2010

At my nursing school we were incompetent for clinical or not allowed to do them if not passing the parm cal test at the beginning of each clinical rotation. This is for safety reasons. They also wonder why you would be failing so many times after already passing pharm class. The school only cares about safety and cutting down on meds errors. Rounding rules are important in school because it is important at work too. If a patient is to receive even 0.6 of something we still round up if its in tablet form. If its an injectable or something then of course we wouldn't. The school wants to make sure you are paying attention to all aspects of the orders, routes and forms available of the drug. While its sad that you failed the course, if you are not allowed to go to clinical how can you proceed. As the other person said just look at it as a learning experience. I don't doubt your ability to give good pt care I just think you had a lot going on. Its better to learn in school how to manage stress, and being safe in practice. Then to try to do it on the job.

It's nice everyone is on here suporting the poster. She knows that the reason she failed is because she may be considered unsafe, and the school has to abide by legal and safety laws. She is just trying to reach out for reassurance and support.

Brainiacster · Sep 15, 2010

Problem #1: The order calls for 1/100 gr and you have on hand 1/150 gr per 2 mls. How many milliliters would you administer?

So were gonna make an algebra equation here: (1/100)gr/X = (1/150)gr/2ml

which is the same as writing 1/100 * 1/X = 1/150 * 1/2ml (when I do dimensional analysis, I like to have everything written as a convenient, easy to see set of multiplications...easier to see the units so I can cancel the units out until I'm left with only the units of the unknown for which I'm solving)

so using algebra to solve for X we have:

(a) multiplying both sides of the equation by X gives (remember, with algebra you can multiply or divide by anything as long as you do it to both sides of the equation): 1/100 = X * 1/150 * 1/2ml

NOTE: the way this is written is

1

2ml

NOT

1ml BE careful with that because it can trip you up

2

Anyway, THINK about it so you can decide which way is correct for whatever problem you're doing when you're doing these probs...because if you're not careful, it can mess up your whole equation and, thus, answer.

BTW, this is also WHY I wrote (1/150)gr and (1/100)gr using parenthesis...so there is no confusing that the gr is NOT on the denominator in THIS case (this may also by WHY your teacher is having you do the decimal conversion first if she's having you do decimals first....it makes it easier to see that the gr is in the numerator....for example, you have 0.01gr not 0.01/gr when you convert (1/100)gr to a decimal)...

BUT if you convert to decimals first, be SURE to use the correct number of significant figures when (see notes below)...I suspect your teacher's rounding rules are based on sig figs (you'll have to check that with your teacher though)

(b) multiplying both sides of the equation by 2ml gives: 1/100 * 2ml = X * 1/150

(d) rearranging so X (what we're solving for) is on the left gives: X = (1/100) * 2ml *150

(e) canceling out units gives: X = 1/100 * 2ml * 150

(f) actually doing the math gives: X = 3ml (or if you're using 2 significant figures, you'd get 3.0mls)

NOTE: the reason the other poster got 3.3ml is because she rounded when she converted 1/150 = 0.00666667 (she rounded 0.00666667 to 0.006, SO IF YOUR TEACHER SAID TO ROUND to 1 sig fig at this point, you WOULD get 3.3mls in your final answer....I'm not in nursing school yet, so I don't know if your teacher said to round at the point of 0.00666667 to make it 0.006). ALSO, I wrote 1/150 instead of using the decimal for 1/150 (ie. instead of using the 0.00666667, so I did not need to round to 0.006)...you'll have to do it whatever way your teacher told you to do it.

BTW, this also illustrates WHY it's so important to use the correct number of significant figures in calculations. For example, when you change 1/150 to a decimal, you get 0.00666667, BUT if you use 2 significant figures (assuming 150 is 2 sig figs), then your rounding should be 0.0067 which would give you 2.98507mls, so using 2 sig figs would give you 3.0mls.

If you were using 1 sig fig, when you change 1/150 to a decimal, you'd get 0.006 as the other poster used...so you WOULD get 3.3mls as an answer, BUT if you use 1 sig fig for your answer too, your 3.3mls would become 3mls (note: it would not be 3.0mls if you're using 1 sig fig...if I recall sig figs correctly)

****NOTE: I'd have to look up the sig fig rules to be sure on whether you're using 1 or 2 sig figs here (haven't used sig figs in a few yrs, so DO look it up for yourself...but I suspect it's 2 sig figs)

***The other thing: if your teacher told you to convert the 1/150 & 1/100 to decimals first, then DO that first as the other poster did...and then be sure to use the correct umber of sig figs or whatever your teacher told you to do when rounding the 0.00666667) (I suspect your teacher is basing any rounding on sig figs, but check to be SURE...also, recall when using sig figs, you have to use the correct number of sig figs at each step in your calculations)

Problem #2

1 tablet / 200gr = X / 0.006grams which is the same as writing 1 tablet * 1/200gr = X * 1/0.006grams

you want to solve for X so, using algebra,

(a) multiply both sides of the equation by 0.006 grams to get rid of the 0.006 grams on the right side of the equation to isolate X (the variable for which you're solving), so we have:

1tablet * .0006grams * 1/200gr = X

(b) rearrange equation so X is on the left, so X = 1tablet * .0006grams * 1/200gr (traditionally, we put our unknown variable on the left)

X = 1tablet * 0.006gram* 1000mg/gram * 60gr/mg * 1/200gr (when you're setting this up, keep in mind your goal is to get all the 'unwanted' units to cancel out so you're left with 'tablets' as your only unit...which is the unit you WANT in this case because the question is asking for the number of TABLETS)

(d) now cancel out units and do the multiplication & division to get X = 1.8 tablets, so if you're rounding 1.8 up, you have X = 2 tablets (Again, I suspect this rounding is based on significant figures...and it also appears you're using 1 sig fig in THIS case (which also makes logical sense in THIS case when you think about it!)...BUT check to be sure...ask the teacher or check your book)

**The big advantage of using dimensional analysis is you just keep multiplying until everything except for the units you WANT is gone....so you're left with ONLY the units you want. If you're doing dimensional analysis correctly, you'll automatically know whether you're finished with your problem or whether your missing something you're supposed to multiply by (if you're missing something (OR doing the dim anal wrong), your units won't be coming out to the unit your solving for)

**Also, if you're using the correct sig figs at each step, your rounding will come out correctly too (again, check with your teacher or book on this)

** your CHEMISTRY book will ALSO have a lot about significant figures (probably in one of the early chapters) AND also about dimensional analysis (remember all those mole, gram, etc dimensional analysis probs from chem? Good place to look if you need practice...if your nursing med calc text book doesn't cover the topic too well)

** Overall, I suspect if you learn how to do dimensional analysis AND you also learn how sig figs work, you'll find these problems to be much easier as well as making a lot more sense to you!

Hang in there with your marriage & with nursing school (reapply or whatever the protocol is). You WILL be a nurse & 1 or 5 or 10 yrs from now, this will be nothing but a distant memory. The key is to NOT let it stop you. You CAN do this...it just takes some more effort applied in the areas where you're having problems. No need to give up!

Best

REDDOG RN · Sep 15, 2010

Civilenginer2rn--

I've got a bit of egg on my face here! I went back and looked at my 1/150 decimal calculation and when I calculated it out, I got what you had: 0.00666667. So I should have rounded 0.006 to 0.007. I do appreciate you pointing that out. I feel kind of dumb here and embarrassed by it!! I wanted to really help katie803, because I know what it feels like when your really struggling with something!! But egg feelings aside here, I'm grateful that you pointed that out to me!!

Hey, unfortunately I do have to ask one stupid question: what does BTW mean?

REDDOG RN · Sep 15, 2010

Katie803--

I apologize to you that I did not round the 0.006 up to 0.007. So I'm going to redo problem #1 for you.

Problem #1: The order call for 1/100 gr and you have on hand 1/150 gr per 2 mls. How many mls would you administer?

So I'll list the steps below again:

1. Change 1/100 gr to decimal form. This equals 0.01 gr.

2. Change 1/150 gr to decimal form. This equals 0.007 gr. So there is 0.007 gr per 2 mls. (0.007 gr = 2 mls)

3. Here's the algebra equation again:

0.01 gr Xmls

0.007 gr X 2 mls

Again, there should be an "X" between the two equations (signifying multiplication.) God, sometimes I hate computers!!

On the left side of the equation, you put the 0.01 gr on top (because that is what you want) and what you have--0.007 gr on the bottom. On the right side of the equation, you put the Xmls on top (because that is what you want to know the mls) and what you have--2 mls on the bottom.

I would next cross out the "gr" on the left side of the equation because they cancel each other out. (Because you ultimately want "mls"). Do this before you cross multiply.

After you've done that then cross multiply. You should end up with:

0.007X = 0.02 mls

Next you would do this:

0.007X 0.02

0.007X = 0.007

Again the "=" should be in the middle between the two equations. You divide the left side by 0.007 because you want the "X" by itself. So you would cancel out the 0.007 on the top and bottom. Now that "wonderful" algebra saying again! "What you do to one side you have to do to the other." So on the right side you would divide the 0.02 by 0.007 (like I set up above). So after you do this your answer would be:

X = 3.0 mls

So as the nurse you would administer 3.0 mls.

Again, I apologize. Hope this makes sense. Let me know if you have any additional questions!! One more note: Keep your chin up--YOU WILL get through this!!--and remember you are a wonderful person!!

MsbossyRN · Sep 15, 2010

It's nice everyone is on here suporting the poster. She knows that the reason she failed is because she may be considered unsafe, and the school has to abide by legal and safety laws. She is just trying to reach out for reassurance and support.

:cool:

My first post was both reassuring and supportive. The second post was just in case the nursing student did not understand why the nursing school would say she was incompetent. I Understand exactly what the nursing student was trying to reach out for. :) :nurse:

I'm sorry to hear about that. Can you take non nursing classes to help with your g.p.a and grants? At my nursing school when someone failed they also had to wait a whole year to retake the class, however they had to START ALL OVER from the beginning of the nursing program and ask permission to do so(if there was space). So a lot of people had to take non nursing classes to help with their status at the university until it came around again. I hope you have that option. Don't beat yourself up! It happens to the best of us. Look at what you kept missing on the pharm tests and learn from those mistakes. Remember there are NO TRICK QUESTIONS on nursing exams, even pharm ones. The nursing schools are not out to trick you just out to make sure you are safe. They want to make sure you wouldn't be trying to give an 0.8 of a tablet. So keep your head up! It sounds like you are going through a lot of stress at home, which led to careless mistakes. Don't let this discourage you from being a nurse, or make you think that you don't have what it takes, or are not smart enough. Just look at it as a learning experience. Use this time to get the things at home in order, so you will be better prepared when the opportunity comes around again. I wish you the best!

SWS RN, ASN, RN · Sep 16, 2010

I am not going to address the math issue because both of the other posters did an amazing job.....

Oh, and by the way--BTW means "By the Way"...

Now back to the OP.

When I went to school, I had just gotten a divorce and moved to a new town and bought a new house.

So I was a single mother with a 8 year old daughter (and a 19 year old off in college 1,600 miles away)

I thought I had it sort of made because at that time I was working as a Registered Dental Hygienist and my pre reqs for Hygiene school were the same as for prereq's for nursing.

Well, I found out that mine were "too old" and I had to RETAKE Micro (lecture and lab), Anatomy and Physiology I and II (lecture and lab), Human growth and development...oh, and of course I took Nursing I....'I carried 20 credit hours for each semester for the first year.

I also was a full time mommy and I had to work 3 days a week as a Hygienist.

Now, 18 years later--I really don't know how I did it--it was a blurr, but I made it through.

You will too, just clench your teeth and plow ahead.

Hugs and Good luck to you...I will put you in my prayers.:redbeathe

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