Orientation Med Test

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Rehab, Telemetry/Med-Surg.

Hi everyone! I'm starting orientation next week for my first nursing job (yay!) and I am wondering if anyone has any ideas on what will be included on the med test. I would also appreciate any links to websites where I can brush up on my dosage calculation skills. During nursing school, we were required to pass med tests at 100% for our first three semesters before we could do our clinicals. We didn't have any med tests during our fourth semester and my capstone was in public health so I haven't done drug calculations since about May of last year, yikes. I will definitely ask during orientation to be on the safe side but until then, I would still like to prepare. Thanks!

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
Hi everyone! I'm starting orientation next week for my first nursing job (yay!) and I am wondering if anyone has any ideas on what will be included on the med test. I would also appreciate any links to websites where I can brush up on my dosage calculation skills. During nursing school, we were required to pass med tests at 100% for our first three semesters before we could do our clinicals. We didn't have any med tests during our fourth semester and my capstone was in public health so I haven't done drug calculations since about May of last year, yikes. I will definitely ask during orientation to be on the safe side but until then, I would still like to prepare. Thanks!

If its anything like the typical it will be finding dosage calculation for a given Rx of __mg/kg and then the persons weight. For example lets say the person weighs 220lbs, and is supposed to have Vanco 7.5mg/kg. first find the persons weight in kg - 220lbs (2.2kg/1 lb) = 100kg which means he is supposed to have Vanco 750 mg. They could make the process more complex by adding, Vanco comes in 5mg/ml how many mls are you going to give. 750/5 = 150mLs.

The other one they will likely have will be heparin drips, which you calculate based off a protocol, just make sure you look at everything. Are you using the right protocol (high vs low intensity)? Are you using the right weight/age range? Are you looking at the correct PT? Don't forget to include any bolus amount and when you'll draw the next PT in your answer.

Those would be my tips to brush up on and good luck to you.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

you can google for medication administration math sites. Remember your five rights. We give a study guide for new hires, so ask for one.

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Specializes in ER/Trauma, research, OR.

When I first started, I was quizzes not only about dosage calcs, but also drugs themselves. Like mechanism of action for beta-blockers, nitro. Reversals of opiates-arcane, denzos-flumazicon. Side effects of certain meds like calcium channel blockers-angioedema. Most tests are assessments of what you need to learn. Simply ask if you should cram or take it blind and truely assess your weaknesses.

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This is a good math calculation website...

nursesaregreat.com - Brush up on Your Drug Calculation Skills

Hope it helps!! Good luck with your new job

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Specializes in Rehab, Telemetry/Med-Surg.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far! And thank you nicole for the link! :)

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