This course prepared me to effectively use numerical skills essential for administering nursing care, including medication administration, intravenous solutions, fluid balance, and other critical calculations necessary for safe practice. It provided a review and practice of basic mathematical calculations involving whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, proportions, and conversions, with a focus on the S.I. Metric System and common measurement conversions.
By the end of the course, I demonstrated proficiency in mathematical calculations, including manipulating whole numbers, percentages, fractions, and decimals. I learned to use various methods such as the formula method, dimensional analysis, and ratio and proportion without relying on a calculator.
I accurately calculated safe medication doses for both adults and children, including single and multiple doses, and demonstrated proper use of abbreviations and formatting in my written calculations. I also calculated fluid balance consistently, monitoring hourly, shift, and 24-hour totals to determine positive or negative balances.
Additionally, I gained the skills to identify important information on medication labels, including names, forms, strengths, total volumes, and instructions for reconstitution and administration. I learned to assess safe dosage ranges based on patient weight and established recommendations.
The course emphasized the importance of accuracy in interpreting medication orders, enabling me to calculate volume, timing, concentration, and reconstitution through critical thinking and problem-solving techniques. I became proficient at reading, interpreting, and understanding complex written orders, often requiring multiple steps to arrive at the correct answer.
I developed the ability to recognize incorrect or unreasonable calculations and applied medication administration principles to ensure accurate responses. Overall, this course provided me with essential numerical skills that are vital for my future nursing practice.
