Mathematics and Drug Calculations.

So I've now completed another week of university! And by is it flying in!

Can't believe how quick it's going. We have our assignment in next month and an exam.  

We have had a maths test this week to see where we are in our mathematics and drug calculations.  We need to know this as we have an exam at the end of the year that we are required to get 100% in. It is a requirement that we pass this or we cannot progress into second year. It is vitally important that we understand the importance of good arithmetic and how an incorrect calculation can result in possible overdose and the potential death of a patient. 

Here is an example of the type of equations you may be asked to do when it comes to math papers:

Question 1

Convert 800 micrograms to milligrams

Question 2

Convert 1.06 grams to milligrams

Question 3

Convert 1850 mL to Litres

Question 4

Convert 100 nanograms to micrograms

Question 5

A client is ordered 50 milligrams of Aminophylline intravenously. 250 milligrams in 10 millilitres of liquid for IV Injection is available. How many millilitres will you administer?

Question 6

Digoxin 200 mg is prescribed
The stock available is 25 mg
How many tablets will you administer?

Question 7

A patient is prescribed 1500ml over 24 hours.
What percentage would be administered after 18 hours?

Question 8

A patient has a daily fluid allowance of 2000mL.
The patient has taken 60%.
How many mL is this?

We are doing ours online as the university is moving to doing a lot of things electronically. We are using a programme they have bought into so this should make things easier.  Maths is a daunting subject for a lot of people and it can be difficult for some people. But with practice comes perfect! Universities often have student support for you to practice maths. They may have tutorial classes and past papers to look at. If you struggle with maths then there is no time like the present to get revising and practicing your calculations etc. There are a good few websites out there that help with basic mathematics and then with the more nursing side of it, so more drug calculations etc. This will include working out the infusion rate, working out how much of a liquid you may need, looking at how many tablets or capsules you need to administer to make up the correct dose and looking at how to calculate medication according to the weight of a person (this is more applicable for childrens medications).

These websites are useful when it comes to learning and practicing drug calculations:

NHS Snap
BBC Maths
Drug Calculations
A Step by Step Guide
E-Book on Drug Calculations for Nurses

(Click on the links above)

Videos like this one here are also good for helping you learn drug calculations. The good thing about maths is that it doesn't change! It is not like writing an essay where there may be a few correct answers. So make sure you know your stuff when it comes to drug calculations. Very important for your patients that you get their doseage correct! It doesn't even warrant thinking about if you get them wrong. If you are ever unsure, ask another nurse. You are all there to help each other after all. 

Best of luck with your studies. There may seem like it is a lot to take in, but with a bit of patience and a bit of self-discipline, you will get there.
On those days you feel like giving up, remember how hard you fought to get where you are. Remember the sacrifices and remember the passion you have which has got you to where you are. It is for that that you will keep going. 

(All the above questions are available online and have been taken from various websites with a few numbers changed!)

Phase 1 - Complete!

Apologies for the long gap in updating you all!

But that's my first phase of university done. The last two weeks have been a little mad. 

We had our presentation and exam to do, then found out in our tutorial we had to prepare another presentation. Just to keep us on our toes! 

So yesterday I had a presentation, an assessment and then an exam. It has been rather manic these last two weeks getting together with my group and then revising and preparing things as well as sorting out an order I had done for everyone. So it's been a busy couple weeks. But I've thoroughly enjoyed it! 

I hae been in touch with my placement and I have organised my hours with them and if I need to wear uniform or not. I have collected that last week and I have collected my name badge. I have my fob watch and I have a little notebook to put in my tunic pocket as well. So I'm all organised. I'm just going shopping on the weekend to get some food in for lunches while I'm on placement. 

It's has gone so quick it's unbelievable. I have learnt so much already and there's a lot more to come!

It has seemed so stressful but so worth it. I'm still awaiting my score on our presentation but for my exam i got a first so im happy as whoever Larry may be with that!

It has gone so quick and it is worth noting, revise as you go. It soon sneaks up on you all those deadlines that you have and what you need to do to keep organised.  University has had such an impact on a lot of people and it is sad when we see people having to leave to return next year due to unforeseen circumstances.  However, as it has gone so quick you do need to take everything on board and a little more. 

Make the most of it as I am sure before I know it, I will have finished first year! (Thinking positive) 

I start placement on Monday so I am sure that will be eye-opening.  I cannot wait.  A few people are a little nervous and dont know what to expect. This in itself is to be expected, especially if you have not had any sort of care experience before. It can seem a little daunting.  But you do have staff on placement to help you as well as the university staff.  So if you do struggle with anything, all I can say is make the most of the help available to you.  That's the good thing about doing a nursing course. The staff and others know that you're human. You can only do so much and you can only cope with so much. To have that support there is fantastic.  

So here I am, looking forward to another 6 weeks of work on placement, completing my portfolio and making sure I can get my skills and competencies ticked off. I have been told to read up on anything I am interested in and asking if i can observe and assist in procedures if I feel I am confident enough to do so. So there is my homework for placement! 

I am going to be trying to do as much as I can when i can and make the most of the 6 weeks. As if the last 6 weeks (7 if you include induction week) are anything to go by, I expect it to fly in. 

Good luck to everyone submitting applications, it is stressful and even more stressful waiting and not knowing.  But that in itself is a learning curve for you and how you cope under pressure and waiting for such a long time.  So make the most of the free time you do have. It is a luxury when you get any at university!