Drug Dosage Tests Requirements

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Aug 17, 2006

And here I remember my instructors telling us that "everybody" has a 100% minimum for passing dosage calcs....ha! Apparently not! Then again, they DID make us all super neurotic about never making a med error....if that's possible.

abbythetabby · Aug 17, 2006

We take a med math test at the beginning of each semester. We're allowed to make one error and are given three chances to pass. Failure results in dismissal from the program.

moongirl · Aug 17, 2006

100% at the time I went through; it's still a 100% requirement. Not a single mistake allowed.
Students are allowed up to three shots at it, though. Most pass the first time, but they are SO RIDICULOUSLY strict in how it must be done that many students "miss" a question that they actually got right, but didn't write everything exactly as required. Anyway, nearly all get through by the end of the second time. Have seen just a few go to three times, but never saw anyone fail completely.
First attempt is about a month into first semester; any further attempts are to be completed in the next few weeks or you don't advance.
Another test (focusing on peds, but still math) was given in 3rd; the other semesters had math questions on each of the regular exams.

:yeahthat: 100 percent, only 2 tries, each semester there is a test- 25 questions. You could actually be in your very last semester before you graduate and get the boot for not passing the math. No room for error. If you get the right answer but LABEL it wrong, or forget to label, it is wrong.

hey- no pressure, right??? :uhoh3:

TRINI_RN · Aug 17, 2006

90% and allowed three tries. If you fail the test you fail the entire semester and must repeat it.

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Aug 17, 2006

90% here as well.

sydie · Aug 17, 2006

We take a 10 question test every semester. We can miss one and have two chances to take it. If someone were to fail on attempt 2, they are required to re-enroll for that semester at a later date. For our third semester, the test will be the second day of class...so that is Tuesday for me! I usually put 3-4 hours of studying in. Math is not my thing, but with lots of home-studying, I have passed both with 100% so far!

Nikkik163 · Aug 18, 2006

We are required to pass with 100% everytime. All 4 semesters. You have 3 attempts and if you do not pass by the third time, you fail the course.

As someone said before I have had classmates just miss a question by not putting the correct label or something like that.

Oh and my mental health course starts Tuesday---dosage calc test right away. And Thursday is Adult nursing 2---oh and lucky me...ANOTHER dosage calc test that day too. :uhoh3: Hope I pass on the 1st try for both or I think I would get way too freaked out!

Momto3andNurse2B · Aug 18, 2006

90% here too, test at the beginning of each 8 week term. 2 chances, and if you fail the second you're on the bench until next semester. In the hospital 100% is expected or you fail the "clinical experience", meaning, see you next semester.

puggymae · Aug 21, 2006

I know that all of those requirements sound stringent but you are dealing with peoples lives. Putting the decimal in the wrong place can kill somebody by either giving them 10 times too much (or 100 0r 1000) or too little medication. And if you don't know the correct label then you don't know what you are talking about. Good luck to everyone on their dosage calculation tests!