a bit stressed
Sep. 13th, 2015 09:34 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ljgeoffA huge part of the nursing program is the medical math, or dosage calculation test. A passing grade is 90%, and I've passed this test several times -- it needs to be passed to get a passing grade in pharmacology and I've taken it several times in the last year as practice tests.
It also needs to be passed each semester of nursing school. Students have three chances, and so far, I have used up two, scoring an 85% both times. I have one more chance, and if I blow it, I'll wash out of the program.
Of course, I have an expectation that I won't blow it. I'll take practice tests every day, and I'll do fine.
If you're curious, here's one of the harder problems. I got one like this one wrong in my last test: (gtt means "drops")
Like I said, I got three out of 20 wrong in my last two tests, for a failing score of 85%. Two of the ones I got wrong where IV-type problems like the one above and the other one was a stupid rounding mistake. I guess I'm just letting all you folks who've been rooting for me to know that I am on the edge of washing out. And I'll be ok if that happens, but I'll be So. Embarrassed. I know that everyone will be supportive and want the best for me, and I'll feel like I've let everyone down. (yeah, I won't be ok. But I will eventually)
So I just have to pass this damned test, eh?
It also needs to be passed each semester of nursing school. Students have three chances, and so far, I have used up two, scoring an 85% both times. I have one more chance, and if I blow it, I'll wash out of the program.
Of course, I have an expectation that I won't blow it. I'll take practice tests every day, and I'll do fine.
If you're curious, here's one of the harder problems. I got one like this one wrong in my last test: (gtt means "drops")
The nurse mixes 50 mg of Nipride in 250 ml of D5W and plans to administer the solution at a rate of 5 mcg/kg/min to a client weighing 182 pounds. Using a drip factor of 60 gtt/ml, how many drops per minute should the client receive?
1st, convert pounds to kilograms; 182/2.2=82.73K
2nd, determine the dosage for this client; 5*82.73=413.65mcg/min
3rd, determine how many mcg per mil; 50,000mcg/250ml = 200 mcg/ml.
almost there! The client needs 413.65 mcg/min and there are there are 200 mcg/ml
so finally -- ; 413.65mcg/min divided by 200mcg/ml is 2.07ml/min. With a drip factor of 60 gtt/ml, then 60 × 2.07 = 124.28 gtt/min
Like I said, I got three out of 20 wrong in my last two tests, for a failing score of 85%. Two of the ones I got wrong where IV-type problems like the one above and the other one was a stupid rounding mistake. I guess I'm just letting all you folks who've been rooting for me to know that I am on the edge of washing out. And I'll be ok if that happens, but I'll be So. Embarrassed. I know that everyone will be supportive and want the best for me, and I'll feel like I've let everyone down. (yeah, I won't be ok. But I will eventually)
So I just have to pass this damned test, eh?
(no subject)
Date: 2015-09-14 02:31 pm (UTC)At least they're basing this gatekeeping on something really, really important in the job.
(no subject)
Date: 2015-09-14 10:02 pm (UTC)Indeed. I have no complaints there. And thank you for the well wishes! I feel strongly that I'll be ok. I scored a 90% today on a practice test; when I score a couple of consecutive 100%, I'll be ready to re-test.
(no subject)
Date: 2015-09-14 10:15 pm (UTC)