Seriousely,do you even use algebraic equations ?

Nurses General Nursing

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Since you are only as strong as your weakest link,I would like to know if you use algebra in your daily routine.If you do use it, then to what degree and how is it applied?

I know how to do the operations for a test but I do not "know" what the hell I'm doing and it is soon forgotten.

If this is just prerequisite minutiae then what type of math operations are essential.

This is my weakest subject and since only a 3 credit college level math course is required I want to make it count.

Any suggestions?

I do use them to do dose calculations on PRN meds. Like for example Dilaudid comes in 2mg/ml carpujets and some physician will order .5 mg which barely fills the syringe but oh well.

In 12 years as a nurse, I have only needed to use one equation; the solve for X ratio and proportion problem. This is the only algebra I've ever needed for dosage calcs.

My husband is an engineering scientist, and he uses algebra, calculus, etc every day. Then again, he sometimes works on algebra problems just for fun.

He's a little weird.

Calc is usually just a weed-out class.... give me algebra ANY day! :rotfl:

In nursing prereqs, algebra is often a weed out class.

In fact, it almost weeded me out.

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Someone asked for an example of a math problem. I work in an ER...our Fentanyl comes in 100mcg/2cc vials. Order is to give: 50mcg IVP of Fentanyl:

So...you have 100mcg/2cc = 50mcg/x (what you want to give)

You then multiple the 50mcg X 2cc = 100 and divide by 100 to get 1cc which is the volume you need to give. Does that help?? In ICU/ER you also have drips based on kg. For instance: Dopamine is usually started at 5-10mcg/kg/min so you factor in the concentration of the drug and go from there.

Someone asked for an example of a math problem. I work in an ER...our Fentanyl comes in 100mcg/2cc vials. Order is to give: 50mcg IVP of Fentanyl:

So...you have 100mcg/2cc = 50mcg/x (what you want to give)

You then multiple the 50mcg X 2cc = 100 and divide by 100 to get 1cc which is the volume you need to give. Does that help?? In ICU/ER you also have drips based on kg. For instance: Dopamine is usually started at 5-10mcg/kg/min so you factor in the concentration of the drug and go from there.

thanks for the example! i still have a long way off before nursing school (doing bsn prereqs while i wait) but i am in college algebra currently and just needed to see if the algebra you guys are using is worse than this class. :p

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