Need some advice...AM I CRAZY????

[girlswcurls]

I am an older student (early thirties) and in preparation for clinical math which I will be taking this summer... I have purchased my book and taught myself pretty much all the doseage/conversions/calculations. I am using the formula method (the ratio one just confuses the heck out of me) and wondered if a calculator is used in the real world to double check your calculations.

All of my answers are 100% accurate with it.... but since I am not the best math student in the world...(hence the reason I decided to get a head start and learn as much as I can BEFORE class) I have relied on it while teaching myself.

Please give me your feedback. Most of the questions I can do in my head....but some of them are trickier than others, and I feel reassured using the calculator to check myself. thanks in advance for your help.

[SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS]

Yes, use a calculator! The harder part is knowing how to set up your equations (ratio, etc) and knowing things like, a person's weight in kg is going to be about half their weight in pounds, so that you recognize immediately if your or a colleague has set up their equation wrong (ie, if they multiply by 2.2 rather than divide, that kind of thing- and yes I have seen that happen!!!)

[0402]

I'm actually pretty good at math, and I use a calculator all of the time. Knowing how to set up the problem and understanding what you're calculating is the important element- if you don't know that much, the calculator isn't going to help you. Most nursing math is pretty basic- simple algebra; can't say I've used calculus, as an RN- just make sure you understand the elements of the problem at hand, and you should be fine. And, as a pp mentioned, there's always someone around to check your math- a 2nd set of eyes is always a good idea. And, in "the real world," if you don't even know where to start, ask someone; not asking would be the bigger issue.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I've used a calculator on the floor...I think you'd be crazy not to :)

My school would let you use a calculator, but it couldn't be a scientific/formula/graphing one. It had to be the most basic kind of calculator, as in the type you get from the dollar store. In fact, that's where they told us to buy it.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

When I did my precepting, there was a calculator in every medroom and I have one on my phone, too. I am very good in math, but it is way too easy to make a stupid mistake.

[GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

undoubtedly, a calculator is one of the many tools use by medical staff in any given situation. furthermore, these days most of the meds. come already measured and if you have any doubt call the pharmacy, and they will give you the information you seek. keep in mind as you gain experience you won't need any help, although it's always a good practice to double check with someone else's math skills just saying

[PeepnBiscuitsRN]

When I was in school to become an LPN we had to do all of our dosage tests BY HAND. No calculators. We also could get no more than 2 wrong. For the RN program we were allowed to use calculators, but we could get NONE wrong.

In the real world, on the MAR (we have computer charts, ergo an eMAR) the dosage is already done by pharmacy, the drip rates in ml/hr (also is pre-programmed on the pump) and any other dosages. But the dosages we give are pretty easy, like someone needs 160mg of something, and we have 80mg tabs on hand, or 2.5mg of another thing and we have 5mg on hand. Sometimes it gets a bit goofy like if we're giving an oral liquid (the beautiful teal Morphine comes to mind) and we have to draw it up in a syringe that doesn't have clear markings. I had to hang immunglobulin one time and had to do something like ml/kg/hr- I wound up calling the pharmacist...good man. Helped big time.