New Job Math Test

Nurses Career Support

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Good morning everyone. I made it through my first nursing job interview yaaaay...but now back to the scary stuff! A math test! Uggh! Can someone please tell me why I would need a drug book for this math test, the recruiter said they will provide me a book and calculator. All through nursing school I did calculations, never using a drug book, what is this for? Thank you for any prompt response as the test is tomorrow morning.

Specializes in Geri - Edu - Infection Control - QAPI.

Your nursing school didn't require you to purchase a drug guide? Do you use an app to look up meds? It may be more than just a math test. As long as you're comfortable with the math, I wouldn't stress too much. I'm guessing you're probably testing soon, but next time I would find a guide and look through it. I've met several nursing students who didn't know how to use the guide.

So we use a drug guide yes, they actually provided us a drug book but we have never needed it for a math test, thats all I'm saying. If you are telling me you are giving me a math test I'm expecting to see: the doctor ordered this at this amount and this is available. I just don't want any surprises as we have never had to look anything up for a math test. Thanks for the feedback.

...If you are telling me you are giving me a math test I'm expecting to see: the doctor ordered this at this amount and this is available. I just don't want any surprises as we have never had to look anything up for a math test. Thanks for the feedback.

Is this medication compatible with the IV fluid infusing? Is it compatible with the fluid it has been mixed with?

What is the dosing range? Is this a safe dose? Is this a sub-therapeutic dose?

How should this medication be administered? IV push? IV piggyback? How long should the infusion take?

etc., etc., etc...

So we use a drug guide yes, they actually provided us a drug book but we have never needed it for a math test, thats all I'm saying...

I find this concerning, that you either weren't taught to look up safe medication administration, or weren't required to do so.

Best wishes, and good luck on the test.

Wow no we never did that. The only thing close to that we did was in pediatrics we checked safe dosing but that information was still given to us in the question. I don't think I'd have a problem looking at the medication in a book and recognizing contraindications and incompatibilities but as far as in school that wasn't required for math. I am hoping everything goes ok with this, I'm more nervous but I appreciate knowing somewhat what to expect now, thank you.

You should do fine, just don't overthink what you are being asked. When you are presented with this type problem, you are going to be provided a lot of information, much of which you won't need. Carefully read the entire problem before beginning your work and determine exactly what you are being asked to determine. After you've done this, then you can extract the information that you need to solve the problem.

Just finished it, was a little more difficult then I expected but I hope it's good enough lol. Didn't really ask about contraindications but asked some basic things I know without a book. What is usually the score needed for these test ? It was a 40 question test. Thank you.

Specializes in Geri - Edu - Infection Control - QAPI.
You should do fine, just don't overthink what you are being asked.

I agree with Chare! As a nurse, you can't separate med math from drug info. They go hand-in-hand. Good luck!

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