Math problems.........

nyapa, RN · Dec 19, 2007

Sounds a bit unfair. Perhaps they should get you to sit the test again. Is there some recourse, ie can you go further up the ladder above the lecturers heads? Do you have a student organisation on campus?

Perhaps some of the educators on this forum can help...

MG72305 · Dec 19, 2007

Thanks so much......Yes she is allowing me to re-test, but I do not feel I should have to because my math was not wrong! Her explanation to me was that I was not " following directions" and that if I can't get something simple right, I will be risking my patients lives or making stupid mistakes.........I am really upset.......our instructor is wacko.......I really think that she has "issues" of some sort. She is NEVER consistent and her moods change in an instant........The whole class if fed up, although I am the only one that has this issue right now with the math....unbelievable........ :uhoh3:

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · Dec 19, 2007

Hi all! I am new here and really need some help. I am at the end of my 1st semster LVN program, with one day left. This morning, my instructor pulled me aside and informed me that I did not pass my last math test because I did not round my answers up or down, like 3.6363 would be the answer, but rounded to the nearest tenth or hundreth, it would be 3.6 or hundreths would be 3.64. Well, she said that my dimensional analysis was perfect, and my answers are right, but that I did not round up or down. The instructions on the test were to carry answers out to 2 decimal places.....I did that. Now she says because I did not round up or down, I am wrong. Unless I am mistaken, I thought rounding in this case would be to get a "useable" dosage, or a good rounded number.............I am so angry right now because she says that she really should not let me pass to the next semester for this.........How is rounding or not rounding going to kill my patient???
If I have the dosages correct, I can worry about rounding when I am drawing up my medication at that time................She says my math was flawless other than that..........I don't get it. This whole term has been awful, the instructors are hags, none of them can agree with each other on skills testing, etc. How can you fail someone who has great grades otherwise over rounding or not rounding?? Am I wrong??
Please Help!!! :angryfire

As you tell it, there were only instructions to carry the answer to the 2nd decimal. If there was nothing about rounding the answer in the written instructions, I would've flunked it too, because it's a test, not an actual dosage given in real life.

Of course in real life, you have to round. Then too, you also have Pharmacy to check your answers for you.

Let us know how it goes, ok?

sharona97, BSN, RN · Dec 19, 2007

I'd ask for her to show me an example question, so you can be certain you fully understand her terms. It also gives you the chance to give your rationale. Not all students understand the terms of instruction. That is why their are oral testings done.

Your paying her to teach you. That means if an appointment is made by you to discuss this and help you, she should oblige.

Fight for the right.

GingerSue · Dec 19, 2007

I'm sure it's a pain to write another exam, but with you ability to do excellent calculations then you'll likely do just fine. Probably what she needs is something on paper in order to get you through the course, to prove that you can do it according to the instructions. It's that rounding off aspect, I know because I also didn't round off the answer and it was marked wrong and I lost marks because of that. In that case, I had to demonstrate the correct answer before she could pass me in the course.

In this case, it's not something about you - it's the need to have it demonstrated on paper with correct answers. It's an exam.

Something to learn from.

Trauma Columnist · Dec 19, 2007

Will move to the student nursing forum.

madascanbeRNtobe · Dec 19, 2007

lol

if i was in your place, id just be happy that she wasnt so miserable that she wouldnt even let me retake it. Just take it as a lesson to follow all the instructions on the test.

Its great that you are wonderful at the calculations, it is very important. And im sure you will do great once you graduate.

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Dec 19, 2007

The problem becomes that when you carry out the math..something as simple as 2.5 tabs or 3 tabs may make a world of difference...that's the rub....

Personally, don't take it so hard....I missed a question once because I said to give 9 tabs of Asprin....hmmm, that's a lot of pills...

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Dec 19, 2007

I am so angry right now. . .This whole term has been awful, the instructors are hags. . .Am I wrong??

After reading your post about the math, it sounded to me like you didn't follow the instructions on the tests. An answer of 3.6363 has not been rounded down as instructed. Part of working as a nurse is following instructions given by whoever (package instructions, bosses). And, what's with this business of calling the people who are training you "hags"? How disrespectful.

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · Dec 19, 2007

After reading your post about the math, it sounded to me like you didn't follow the instructions on the tests. An answer of 3.6363 has not been rounded down as instructed. Part of working as a nurse is following instructions given by whoever (package instructions, bosses). And, what's with this business of calling the people who are training you "hags"? How disrespectful.

OK, now I'm a little confused here. The instructions as given by the OP did not mention rounding, only to carry the answer out to the hundredths.

OP says that she only carried to the hundredths as the instructions required, then got into trouble with the instructor for not rounding.

Different directions altogether.

(But I do agree with you about the 'hags' thing. )

madascanbeRNtobe · Dec 19, 2007

i have a question...

What is the difference between carrying your answer to the hundreth, or rounding to two decimal places. Isnt it the same, you carry to the hundreth, in all your steps, and have your final answer to the hundreth.

In tests, you have to show the teacher you know what you r talking about. She doesnt know whats in your mind. By leaving an answer to 3.6343, she might think that you think you can actually draw that amount into a syringe.

The OP knew that wasnt possible, and had in her mind decided that she would round when she was actualy getting the medication, but the teacher doesnt know that.

Maybe the moral of this story is to show the teacher all you know, even if the instructions are unclear

I do feel bad for you, but you will be fine after redoing the test