Abstract

NUMERICAL SKILLS AND DRUG CALCULATION ABILITIES OF NURSING STUDENTS: AN ASSESSMENT STUDY

Pradnya Deolekar*, Pramila Yadav, Sandesh Deolekar and Prathmesh S. Deolekar

Abstract

Background: Patient safety is a key concern for nurses; ability to calculate drug doses correctly is an essential skill to prevent and reduce medication errors. It has been reported that many newly graduated healthcare professionals have low levels of competency in the area of drug dose calculation. Aims: The purpose of this study was to assess the drug dosage calculation knowledge and proficiency among our nursing students. Methods: Data was collected through pre-designed semi-structured questionnaire. Data was compiled and tabulated by using MS excel and was analyzed. Results: The results showed that students were competent in calculating dosages based on body surface area and those expressed in international units (IU). They were competent in calculating renal function and the number of tablets required for a prescription. 52% of the nursing students in the current study failed the mathematical skill test, with a score below the passing grade of 50%. Dose calculation skills (solid-liquid drugs) were scored below 50% was 30.5%, and 75% of the students scored less than 50% in drug calculation skills (intravenous fluid and infusion rates). The solid-fluid drug dose and injection calculation skills of the students were better than the intravenous and infusion rate calculation skills. The study results showed the significant improvement in drug dosage calculation knowledge and proficiency among the study participants. Conclusion: Drug dose calculation continually provides challenges among healthcare graduates, and additional and varied learning resources may enable students to attain and retain an acceptable standard of skill throughout their professional careers.

Keywords: Drug dose calculations, nursing students.