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Discussion

Mental Math In Nursing

I recently been accepted into a BScN program and will start this fall.

I was wondering how much "mental math" is usually required in school and the profession...

I'm a very visual learner and have to work out math with pen and paper. Also for the past.... decade or so i've become rusty with mental calculations (yes +/-/x and division) as I now rely on the calculator.

Will my calculator dependance and visual learning style hinder my progression throughout school? Should I spend my free time, now, before school practicing calculations in my head and conversions etc?

Does anyone know of a good practice book?

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    • Featured Replies

    I've never had to do math in my head. The charting system I use at work has a calculator built in, and I usually write out any conversions I need with pen and paper prior to drawing meds up.

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    We're always required to show all of our work and encouraged to use a simple calculator. Don't think I've ever had to do mental math.

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    • Expert

    You use math everyday as a nurse. Many nurses carry their own calculators.

    Here is a great site.....DosageHelp.com - Helping Nursing Students Learn Dosage Calculations

    Know your conversion tables......

    The Short List 1 cup © = 8 ounces (oz)

    1 dram (dr) = 60 grains (gr)

    1 dram (fl dr) = 60 minims

    1 gallon (gal) = 4 quarts (qt)

    1 glass = 8 ounces (oz)

    1 grain (gr) = 64.8 milligrams (mg)

    1 gram (g) = 15.43 grains (gr)

    1 inch (in) = 2.54 centimeters (cm)

    1 kilogram (kg) = 2.2 pounds (lb)

    1 liter (L) = 1.057 quarts (qt)

    1 milliliter (mL) = 16.23 minims

    1 minim = 1 drop (gt)

    1 ounce (oz) = 2 tablespoons (tbsp)

    1 ounce (oz) = 8 drams (dr)

    1 ounce (fl oz) = 29.57 milliliters (mL)

    1 pint (pt) = 16 ounces (oz)

    1 pound (lb) = 16 ounces (oz)

    1 quart (qt) = 0.946 liters (L)

    1 quart (qt) = 2 pints (pt)

    1 tablespoon (tbsp) = 3 teaspoons (tsp)

    1 teacup = 6 ounces (oz)

    1 teaspoon (tsp) = 4.93 mL

    The Long list

    1 central = 45,359 grams (g)

    1 centimeter (cm) = 10 millimeters (mm)

    1 cubic centimeter (cc) = 1 milliliter (mL)

    1 cup © = 8 ounces (oz)

    1 drachm = 3.55 milliliter (mL)

    1 dram (dr) = 60 grains (gr)

    1 dram (fl dr) = 60 minims

    1 gallon (gal) = 4 quarts (qt)

    1 gill = 4 ounces (oz)

    1 glass = 8 ounces (oz)

    1 grain (gr) = 64.8 milligrams (mg)

    1 gram (g) = 1,000 milligrams (mg)

    1 gram (g) = 1,000,000 micrograms (mcg)

    1 gram (g) = 15.43 grains (gr)

    1 hand = 4 inches (in)

    1 inch (in) = 2.54 centimeters (cm)

    1 kilogram (kg) = 1,000 grams (g)

    1 kilogram (kg) = 2.2 pounds (lb)

    1 liter (L) = 1000 milliliters (mL)

    1 liter (L) = 1.057 quarts (qt)

    1 meter (m) = 1,000 millimeters (mm)

    1 meter (m) = 100 centimeters (cm)

    1 milligram (mg) = 1,000 micrograms (mcg)

    1 milliliter (mL) = 1 cubic centimeter (cc)

    1 milliliter (mL) = 15 drops (gt)

    1 milliliter (mL) = 16.23 minims

    1 minim = 1 drop (gt)

    1 ounce (fl oz) = 2 tablespoons (tbsp)

    1 ounce (oz) = 20 pennyweights (dwt)

    1 ounce (oz) = 24 scruples

    1 ounce (oz) = 31.1 grams (g)

    1 ounce (oz) = 480 grains (gr)

    1 ounce (oz) = 8 drams (dr)

    1 ounce, fluid (fl oz) = 29.57 milliliters (mL)

    1 palm = 3 inches (in)

    1 pennyweight (dwt) = 24 grains (gr)

    1 pint (pt) = 16 ounces (oz)

    1 pint (pt) = 4 gills

    1 pound (lb) = 16 ounces (oz)

    1 pound (lb) = 350 scruples

    1 quart (qt) = 0.946 liters (L)

    1 quart (qt) = 2 pints (pt)

    1 scruple = 20 grains (gr)

    1 stone = 0.14 cents

    1 tablespoon (tbsp) = 3 teaspoons (tsp)

    1 teacup = 6 ounces (oz)

    1 teaspoon (tsp) = 60 drops (gtt)

    1 teaspoon (tsp) = 4.93 mL

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    I did math in my head every day as a floor nurse.

    I recall a time during a code that a child was having a seizure... the MD called for "0.1 of ativan" though what he meant was 0.1 mg/kg. Colleagues drew up the dose and handed me a syringe with 0.2 mL of ativan in it... IV ativan is available as 2 mg/1 mL so the dose they handed me was 0.4 mg... not the dose that the MD had called for and in fact neither dose was appropriate for a child who weighed 13 kg. I realized it as soon as they handed it to me and then the appropriate dose was both ordered and given.

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    I am using Henke's Med- Math... It really starts out at the basic level... But it has helped me to review my algebra and conversions prior to starting the program:)

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