Is Drug Dosage(class) hard?

S.N. Visit, BSN, RN · Apr 21, 2005

I think if your math skills are poor it will be hard. I'm also taking it this summer. I have heard there are two main formulas to learn and as long as you "get it", you will be fine. I'm going to get a tutor if I run into trouble.

Good luck! :)

EMTtoRN · Apr 22, 2005

I have to take that too this summer. I think I am going to get a dosage calculation for nurses work book to go over this summer to help.

BoonersmomRN · Apr 22, 2005

We can't sign up for dosage until we are accepted into our program...and once we do it's literally 3 classes. Then we HAVE to take and PASS the dosage test with a 95% or else we are dropped.

It's a little intimidating to say the least:)

GOOD LUCK!

Katydidit34 · Apr 22, 2005

It's a whole lot like the math you do in Chemistry. The problems are set up like conversion problems. Some of the problems can be somewhat lengthy but if you take it step by step, you'll do just fine.

I have to take Drug Dosage this summer and I have heard terrible horror stories on this class. Has anyone taken it? What kind of math is in it? Maybe I can brush up on something before it starts. What could I go over that would help me in the class. Thanks. :uhoh21:

RNKITTY04 · Apr 22, 2005

Im really really bad at math but found that if you learn the steps and practice you will be fine. the biggest hurdle for me was learning the metric system. :uhoh3:

hollyster · Apr 22, 2005

"Dosage Calculations Made Incredibly Easy" is a good book to review before starting class or makes a great review. It is step by step with rationales. My husband bought me a copy at a local bookstore.

Good luck.

KrisRNwannabe · Apr 22, 2005

it was the easiest class i ever took. it is all ratio and proporation. if you can multiply and divide on calculator you should be fine. we have to pass a med math test every semester. 100% or fail.

truern · Apr 23, 2005

I think alot of the fear comes from the pressure of having to pass the calc test every semester or risk being dropped. It's certainly not because the math is hard

You'll be fine!

MandyInMS · Apr 23, 2005

Uggghhhh..I always sucked @ math :/ but as Kris said it's basic ratio/proportion...took several classmates trying to explain it to me before I 'got it'..but once I did was a breezeeeeee...good luck hun...I know how it feels to be stressed over math :)

tlbspn · Apr 25, 2005

I've already taken Drug Dosage and it isn't that hard as long and you get a good understanding right off.

KrisRNwannabe · Apr 25, 2005

Mandy

here is an example of a question that was just on our med test for the semester:

You need to give a patient 8ml of medicine. the mec X comes in a vial marked 2ml in 1 cc. How many cc's of med X would you give the patient??

1cc X cc's

____ = ____

2ml 8ml

now you will cross multiply: 2x=8 X=4 cc's of said med

obviously the numbers won't always be that easy but you get the idea.