New Student Need some tips

We used Calculate with Confidence. Here's a link to an older addition which is much cheaper. It really helps to break down the questions and offers different calculating styles.

Just make sure to know your conversion factors. Take your time. Check your answers. If it doesn't make sense, it's probably wrong. You're not going to give 14 tablets of Potassium.

Amazon.com: Buying Choices: Calculate with Confidence, Fourth Edition

Thank you very much Jill2Shay. I will purchase I am taking any good tips possible I wanna guarantee I know it by heart and won't struggle through the rest of semesters. I appreciate your help. If anyone else has any other tips they are welcome please and thank you!

Calculate with Confidence is a good resource. There are basically 2 ways to solve med math problems: Ratio-Proportion and Dimensional Analysis. When you're solving the math problem, know what you must solve for. Then look back at the question and figure out what information actually is relevant to solving the problem. They may include some information that looks good but isn't relevant to the question at all. Just figure out how you want to tackle the question, plug in the numbers into the formula and get your answers. Don't forget to convert to the correct units of measurement.

It's really basic algebra stuff. Really basic.

The more practice you get doing med calculations, the more comfortable you'll be doing them. Just keep at it and you'll do just fine!

Thanks guys! I appreciate the help!!

Calculate with Confidence is a good resource. There are basically 2 ways to solve med math problems: Ratio-Proportion and Dimensional Analysis. When you're solving the math problem, know what you must solve for. Then look back at the question and figure out what information actually is relevant to solving the problem. They may include some information that looks good but isn't relevant to the question at all. Just figure out how you want to tackle the question, plug in the numbers into the formula and get your answers. Don't forget to convert to the correct units of measurement.

It's really basic algebra stuff. Really basic.

The more practice you get doing med calculations, the more comfortable you'll be doing them. Just keep at it and you'll do just fine!

I HATE using Ratio-Proportion so I only use Dimensional Analysis. Others hate Dimensional Analysis and only use Ratio-Proportion. I would work a bunch of problems using both and decide which you like better. Calculate with confidence is a great book. And if you don't already know this, Amazon will become your best friend during Nursing School. I buy lots of books from there including textbooks. Good luck to you!

I'm also a medic in an RN program --- our program gives us 3 chances to get 100% on our med math test before we are dropped --- had the 1st attempt last week and got the 100%.. I also use dimensional analysis since that's what i learned in medic school .

Our school also uses Calculate with Confidence and it really helped me, tons of practice questions. Most people are familiar with ratio-proportion, as was I, but I just learned the formula method which is (D/H) x Q, which is Dose Order divided by On Hand then multiply by Quantity. However, if you use this method make sure you know how to convert measurement units as D/H must have the same measurement units, of course. For example Dose order 400 mg po, on Hand is 200 mg/5mL (Q). Start by 400mg/200mg =2 then multiply by 5mL = 10 mL . I hope this help a little and good luck to you.

I am a new Nursing Student too. I may get reamed for this, but...

You really do not need Calculate with Confidence textbook. I think it is a waste of $100+

Also, I really don't like the ratio proportion method (ie, 300mg:1ml::100mg:X) - I just use basic math (ie, 300mg/1ml = 100mg/X , cross multiply). Just identify what you are looking for, and when you have to do proportion method remember the units are GENERALLY always a "solid" unit (ie, grams) over a "liquid" unit (ie, mL or cc).

also - 100%? that's really rigorous. We have to get a 90% or higher (still an A) or dropped. that gives some room for "computer error" (where an answer was put into the computer test wrong and you got it right based on rounding rules). If we get one or two wrong, we can circle it and submit a "request for review" sheet to the professor.

Everything you need to know as far as conversions you can learn it by googling the conversions, with the exception of grains. 60 mg = 1 grain (at least that is what we are being taught). For example just open google searh engine and type oz to mL. Remember rounding rules.

I believe in making math less complicated than it needs to be :)