Pediatric Math and NCLEX

[cmh25]

Hello,

When answering a pedi math question on the NCLEX test, what is the correct way to round the number? for example, 87lbs = 39.5454 kg. Would rounding down to 39 be appropriate, to avoid giving too much? In school we were taught to round to the nearest hundreth with pediatrics, but friends who've taken the exam already, said NCLEX asks for whole numbers only.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you

Christine

[iloveclay]

I am a nurse by education as well as an engineer and I was taught to round UP if the digit was 5 of higher. So 39.5 would be 40 lbs and in this case I'm sure 40 will not cause any undue effects on the child. I don't know about the NCLEX and using only whole numbers.

ETA try using both numbers to see what answer you get and then think logically if you are capable of giving that particular dose.

[cmh25]

Thank you.

I understand the basics of rounding, just wasn't sure if pediatrics would be an exception. Mainly because this group is more sensitive to medications.

I appreciate the feedback.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

rules for rounding are pretty straightforward:

• http://dbhs.wvusd.k12.ca.us/webdocs/sigfigs/rounding.html
  
• http://www.andrews.edu/~calkins/math/webtexts/numb09.htm
  
• http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/a0875987.html
  
• http://www.dtc.dla.mil/qa/rr.htm