Med Math...

phuretrotr · Jun 21, 2013

More than likely, you will learn how to calculation drug dosages via dimensional analysis in the math class. However, the calculations are all basic algebra. You'll just need a basic math understanding of multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction. I'd be surprised if you used any actual math in pharm because that class is just about various drugs, not necessarily how to calculate how much to give the patient.

springchick1, ADN, RN · Jun 22, 2013

More than likely you will learn how to calculation drug dosages via dimensional analysis in the math class. However, the calculations are all basic algebra. You'll just need a basic math understanding of multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction. I'd be surprised if you used any actual math in pharm because that class is just about various drugs, not necessarily how to calculate how much to give the patient.[/quote']
I think it depends on the school because the first part of my pharm class was all about calculations. I did not learn DA in my math class, just my pharm class.

smoup · Jun 23, 2013

My school doesn't teach med math, we have to teach ourselves over the summer and then have 3 chances to get a 100% on a med calc test or fail fundamentals.

We were told to make sure we knew our conversion factors, which is definitely something I need to brush up on.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2013

a good site......DosageHelp.com - Helping Nursing Students Learn Dosage Calculations

http://www.davesems.com/files/drug_dose_calculations.pdf

BadMoonOnTheRise · Jun 24, 2013

My school doesn't teach med math, we have to teach ourselves over the summer and then have 3 chances to get a 100% on a med calc test or fail fundamentals.
We were told to make sure we knew our conversion factors, which is definitely something I need to brush up on.

Yikes. That doesn't reflect well on your school at all. That's really unsafe for your future patients.

To the OP, each school does it differently. Some have combined dose/pharm, some separate the classes, and some integrate dose/calc into the theory curriculum. Try not to stress about it. If you can do 8th grade math, you can do nursing math.

springchick1, ADN, RN · Jun 24, 2013

Yikes. That doesn't reflect well on your school at all. That's really unsafe for your future patients.
To the OP, each school does it differently. Some have combined dose/pharm, some separate the classes, and some integrate dose/calc into the theory curriculum. Try not to stress about it. If you can do 8th grade math, you can do nursing math.

Why is that unsafe for future patients? Whether the school teaches it or you have to teach yourself, the test still has to be passed to continue on in a nursing program (and with a 100% I might add). And of you think it's just 8th grade math, why do you think it reflects poorly on the school. It's something that everyone should be able to do anyway.

douxmusique · Jun 24, 2013

Why is that unsafe for future patients? Whether the school teaches it or you have to teach yourself, the test still has to be passed to continue on in a nursing program (and with a 100% I might add). And of you think it's just 8th grade math, why do you think it reflects poorly on the school. It's something that everyone should be able to do anyway.

Uuh yup

Michaela, RN · Jun 24, 2013

@aubgurl

My school does something similar! We got a med-calc packet on the first day of classes and we had a test over the information on the 4th week. You could not pass meds until getting a 100 on the test and if you failed 3 times you were kicked out of the class.

I'm with you, I don't feel this practice is unsafe at all. It doesn't matter HOW you learn it, as long as you learn it! :)

phuretrotr · Jun 24, 2013

Yikes. That doesn't reflect well on your school at all. That's really unsafe for your future patients.
To the OP, each school does it differently. Some have combined dose/pharm, some separate the classes, and some integrate dose/calc into the theory curriculum. Try not to stress about it. If you can do 8th grade math, you can do nursing math.

My school as well does not have a Med Math course. We learn the math by ourselves and have to pass the test with a 100% too. However, we have a test twice every semester so really, it seems to me like it would be safer because you are constantly having to be tested on the math instead of taking a one shot math class.

I honestly think a med math course is worse. If you need a course to teach you med math, that's a little scary. It's not that hard. I could see if you aren't very good with math, but if you pick math up fairly well, I see no use for a whole course dedicated to information that could be learned in 3 hours.

But to each his own. I am sure whatever the school decides is best for teaching students that it must work for them or they would change it.

JillyPlot · Jun 24, 2013

My program doesn't have a med math course, but we go review in two courses during our first quarter. Every quarter we have a math test on the first day of class that must be passed with at 90 in order to go to clinical.

RLtinker, LPN · Jun 24, 2013

We don't have a med math class requirement either, though I know one exists. Basically, we are given a med book and are expected to learn on our own. However, 10% of every test we take must have drug calculations and we are given a math test near the beginning and near the end of the program that we must pass with a 80% on test one and a 90% on test two. The math its self is basic and is mostly reading story problems and doing conversions, beyond that you have I/O calculations, safe dosage rage, drip rates, and fluid maintenance requirements. BSA is also a possibility, but its something we are not expected to know.