A good understading of math is essential for correctly treating patients.
As with any specialized field, the exact math knowledge nurses are required to know varies. There are fundamental mathematical concepts all nurses use on a daily basis to correctly calculate and administer medications. Although the math nurses use every day appears complex at first, a good understanding of some basic math principles lies at the heart of most calculations.
Basic Math: Fractions and Decimals
A strong working understanding of fractions and decimals is essential for nurses. They must be familiar enough with fractions and decimals to quickly and accurately divide, multiply, add and subtract dosages as well as convert fractions to decimals and vice versa. Conceptual understating of fractions and decimals is essential since half doses, extra doses and time-delayed dosages must be calculated correctly. Nurses also need to know convert fractions and decimals to percentages in order to explain medication instructions accurately and easily to their patients.
Measurement Systems: Ratios and Proportions
In their simplest forms, a ratio compares quantities and is written as a fraction, while a proportion is two or more ratios that are all equal. As with fractions and decimals, the basic mathematical concepts are not difficult to understand. However, heavy emphasis is placed on mastering ratios and proportions because there is little practical room for error. Not only do nurses use ratios and proportions everyday to treat patients, they also need to understand the concepts well enough to clearly explain dosage instructions.
Dimensional Analysis
Dimensional analysis is the theory that a number or ratio can be multiplied by another number or ratio equal to one, without changing its value, only changing its unit measurement. Within the field of nursing, dimensional analysis relates almost exclusively to the metric system. An understanding of size (meters) and weight (kilograms) is essential to performing dimensional analysis. Dimensional analysis is most commonly used when measuring and administering medications. The process is used to save time and minimize calculation errors.
Calculating Drip Rate
Nurses most often use math when dealing with medications, yet not all medications are delivered in distinct doses. Some are delivered continuously through IVs. Calculating drip rates can involve unit conversions and may take factors such as patient weight into consideration as well. These calculations may seen quite complex as they can involve several steps and multiple unit conversions. Yet a solid understanding of the metric system, ratios and proportions remains at the heart of the calculations.
Program-specific Math Requirements
Whether you are looking at an associate of nursing, bachelor's of nursing or a nursing diploma, all nursing programs require learning the basic math concepts outlined above. Individual programs differ in terms of degree of difficulty or amount of math required for graduation. Most programs provide information on core math classes and math review, and test prep books are available either online or in bookstores.
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