That Darn Calculations Test

Achoo!, LPN · Nov 3, 2006

I'm sure each schoo stes it up differently. We had 20 questions. Some basic like

Order- 35 mg Denerol. Available Demerol 50 mg/ml. How much do you give?

Others had you calculate pounds to kg for child doses

Then we had some like- A patient had 1000 ml Nacl hung at 10 am. It is due to be out at 6:00. At 1:00 the bag is ahead 1 hour. Recalculate the rate. is the rate within the 25% increase or decrease?

Hope that helps!

AuntieRN · Nov 3, 2006

We always had 10 questions on ours. We took it every semester. Each semester added new stuff and got harder but the old stuff we learned from previous semesters was always included. Good luck to you on your test.

JentheRN05, RN · Nov 3, 2006

Different at every school, but I'm sure a good 90% is scenario questions. Such as the second poster said.

Alot is knowing the different measurements and being able to correspond them with other amounts. Such as 1ml = 1cc. 30cc = 1 tsp (I think - been a while). And 60 grains = 1 mg (could be wrong on this too lol - sorry it has been a while and I've slept since then).

Also knowing that 2.2 pounds = 1 kg, is crucial.

I was taught the 'football' method to figure out dosages. Not even sure that is the right word, but it had something to do with football. Sorry I'm so vague. I think my brain is frozen due to my thermostat doesn't seem to be working right and I'm already sick. *sigh*

So a scenario question would be something like:

You have a 10# baby, the doctor has ordered 10mg/kg of xyz antibiotic, it comes in strength of 1000g/1ml. 1. What would you dispense? and is this a correct order that the doctor gave you? If not what would be the correct dose.

I really pulled this one out of my behind, because it is not a real antibiotic and it has unrealistic dosages. But it gives you an idea of the format.

Good luck - I sucked at math in school, but I proudly have an RN behind my name so apparently I did something right :)

NaomieRN · Nov 3, 2006

I took my drug calculations last month. I had 25 questions. Make sure you know your measurements and how to convert (g->mg, mg->g). When you take the test, double check all your answers. Many people do not pass because of careless mistakes. I do not know what formula your school is using, before you start the test, jot the formula down. I use D/H.Q=amnt to give. Good luck to you.

ALT · Nov 3, 2006

Thank You all for information. I have had my nose in my math book for the past few days trying to learn the conversions.

DisneyNurse18 · Nov 4, 2006

I took my calculations final earlier today. I am not so good in math either. And I studied my butt off!!! I ended up getting a 94. It had a lil of everything, equal amounts and nothing was very hard, to my surprise!!!

Good luck to you!

RN007 · Nov 4, 2006

You may need to be able to calculate total intake and output. For example, a pt drinks 8 oz of coffee, 6 oz of apple juice, 3 TBS of milk, 12 oz soda and 240 mL of soup. Pt's output is 800 mL urine, 200 mL vomitus, 30 mL JP drainage. Calculate total intake and output. Good luck!

ALT · Nov 4, 2006

Does anyone know of a good web site that i could use to help me study?

GeminiTwinRN, BSN · Nov 4, 2006

here's a great website to help!

http://www.accd.edu/sac/nursing/math/default.html

WDWpixieRN, RN · Nov 5, 2006

That is a very cool site!! I was going to re-recommend the book I mentioned on another post called: Calculate with Confidence if you're looking for additional teaching/reference material!!

Good luck!!