How to Get EVERY Dosage Calculations Problem RIGHT (6 EASY STEPS!)

NursingSOS

4 Nov 202116:00

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis video script offers a comprehensive guide for nursing students to master dosage calculation for their exams. It introduces a simple six-step process to solve dosage calculation problems effectively, emphasizing the importance of not memorizing formulas but using dimensional analysis instead. The video uses a practical example to walk through the steps, highlighting the need to identify the required units, use conversion factors effectively, and double-check the calculations. The script also promotes additional resources such as a free cheat sheet, a nursing school dose calc box, and a membership community for further support and practice.

Takeaways

📚 A six-step process exists to solve dosage calculation problems in nursing school exams.
🎓 Following the six-step process will improve accuracy in dosage calculations, which is crucial for nursing students.
🧠 Memorizing formulas is not encouraged; instead, dimensional analysis (railroad method) is recommended for solving complex dose calc problems.
📈 The first step is to identify the desired unit of measurement at the end of the problem, ensuring the correct solution is targeted.
📝 The second step involves noting the original order from the physician and writing it down.
🔄 Step three is about identifying the necessary conversions to align the units with the desired outcome.
🧮 Use conversion factors to cancel out unwanted units and align the remaining units with the 'railroad tracks' method.
📊 In step four, multiply across the top and bottom of the 'railroad tracks' and then divide to find the answer.
✅ Round the final answer according to the correct rounding rules, especially when dealing with drops per minute.
🔍 Always double-check your math to ensure accuracy in dosage calculations, as they are vital for patient care.
💡 Additional resources like cheat sheets, nursing school dose calc boxes, and membership communities can aid in mastering dosage calculations.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?
-The main topic of the video is a six-step process to solve dosage calculation problems in nursing school exams.
Why is the six-step process emphasized in the video?
-The six-step process is emphasized because it simplifies the complex task of dosage calculation and ensures that students can get every dosage calculation problem right, even as they progress to more complex problems.
What is the alternative to memorizing formulas suggested in the video?
-The video suggests using dimensional analysis, also known as the railroad method or railroad tracks, as an alternative to memorizing formulas. This method is considered easier and more reliable for solving dosage calculation problems.
What is the first step in the six-step process?
-The first step in the six-step process is to read the question and determine the unit that needs to be calculated at the end, ensuring that the focus is on solving for the correct unit.
How does the video address the concern of memorizing too many formulas?
-The video addresses this concern by stating that memorizing formulas might work for basic problems but will fail when solving more complex dosage calculation problems. It encourages the use of dimensional analysis instead, which does not require memorization of numerous formulas.
What is the significance of conversion factors in the dosage calculation process?
-Conversion factors are crucial in the dosage calculation process as they help to transform units from one form to another, allowing the calculation to progress from the initial order to the final required unit, such as from liters to drops per minute.
How does the video handle the units that need to be eliminated during the calculation?
-The video uses the principle of dimensional analysis where units that appear on both the top and bottom of the 'railroad tracks' cancel each other out, allowing the calculation to proceed towards the desired final unit.
What is the rounding rule mentioned in the video for drops per minute?
-The rounding rule mentioned in the video for drops per minute is to round up if the decimal is five or above, and round down if it is four or below, always resulting in a whole number since it is not possible to count fractions of a drop in practice.
What is the final step in the six-step dosage calculation process?
-The final step in the six-step process is to double-check the math and ensure that the correct answer has been obtained, as dosage calculations are critical and can significantly impact patient care.
What additional resources does the video offer for nursing students struggling with dosage calculations?
-The video offers a free cheat sheet, a nursing school dosage calculation box with flashcards, a workbook, and practice problems, and access to the Nursing SOS membership community for further support and resources.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Dosage Calculation

The paragraph introduces the viewer to a simple six-step process for solving dosage calculation problems in nursing school. It emphasizes the importance of not memorizing formulas but instead using dimensional analysis, also known as the railroad method, which is presented as a more effective and consistent approach. The speaker reassures the audience that following these steps will lead to success in dosage calculation problems on nursing exams.

05:02

🔍 Understanding the Problem and Initial Setup

In this section, the speaker instructs the viewer to carefully read the problem and identify the desired unit of measurement, which in this case is drops per minute. It explains the need to understand what the physician's order entails and how to translate that into the units required for calculation. The paragraph outlines the first two steps of the process: identifying the end goal and writing down the original order provided by the physician.

10:04

📈 Applying Dimensional Analysis for Conversion

The speaker delves into the third step of the process, which involves identifying and applying conversion factors to transform the given units into the desired units. The paragraph explains the concept of dimensional analysis, where units cancel each other out, and emphasizes the importance of aligning the desired end units with the top and bottom of the 'railroad tracks'. It provides a detailed walkthrough of how to use the given conversion factors to transition from liters over hours to drops over minutes.

15:06

🧮 Completing the Calculation and Rounding

This part of the script covers the fourth and fifth steps of the process, which involve multiplying across the top and bottom of the 'railroad tracks' and then dividing the two results. The speaker provides the calculations and explains how to arrive at the answer of 41.6 drops per minute. It then discusses the importance of rounding to a whole number, as decimals are not practical in the context of IV drips, and explains the rounding rules. The final step is to double-check the math to ensure accuracy in dosage calculations.

💡 Additional Resources and Encouragement

The speaker concludes the video by offering additional resources for further learning and practice, such as a free cheat sheet, the nursing school dose calc box, and the nursing sos membership community. The paragraph encourages the viewer to engage with these resources to build confidence and pass their dosage calculation exams. The speaker also invites the viewer to interact by liking the video, leaving comments, and subscribing for more content.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡dosage calculation

Dosage calculation refers to the process of determining the correct amount of medication to be administered to a patient. In the context of the video, it is a crucial skill for nursing students to master, as it directly impacts patient safety and care. The video outlines a six-step process to accurately perform dosage calculations, emphasizing the importance of understanding and applying this process to various medication scenarios.

💡nursing school exams

Nursing school exams are assessments that evaluate the knowledge and skills of nursing students, ensuring they are competent in their field. In the video, the speaker aims to help students pass their dosage calculation exams, which are a critical component of nursing education. These exams often include complex medical math problems that require a deep understanding of dosage calculations.

💡six-step process

The six-step process is a methodical approach introduced in the video to tackle dosage calculation problems. It provides a structured way to solve problems by identifying the required units, understanding the original order, applying conversion factors, and ultimately calculating the correct dosage. This process is designed to be easy to follow and effective in ensuring accurate results, which is essential for nursing students when dealing with real-life medication administration.

💡dimensional analysis

Dimensional analysis, also known as the railroad method, is a technique used in the video to solve dosage calculation problems without memorizing formulas. It involves setting up a problem with units aligned in a way that they cancel each other out, leading to the desired unit of measurement. This method is highlighted as a reliable and straightforward approach that works for complex problems and is preferred over traditional formula memorization.

💡conversion factors

Conversion factors are used to convert units of measurement from one scale to another. In the context of dosage calculations, these factors are essential for translating different units, such as liters to milliliters or hours to minutes, to arrive at the correct dosage. The video emphasizes the importance of identifying and applying the correct conversion factors as part of the six-step process to ensure accurate medication administration.

💡IV tubing

IV tubing is a medical device used to deliver fluids, including medications, directly into a patient's bloodstream through a vein. The video discusses the importance of understanding the characteristics of IV tubing, such as the number of drops per milliliter, in order to perform accurate dosage calculations for IV infusions.

💡practice problems

Practice problems are exercises designed to help learners apply their knowledge and develop problem-solving skills. In the video, the speaker provides a practice problem involving the calculation of an IV infusion rate, which serves to reinforce the six-step process and the application of dimensional analysis in dosage calculations.

💡rounding rules

Rounding rules are mathematical guidelines used to adjust numbers to the nearest whole number. In the context of the video, these rules are crucial for determining the correct dosage in whole drops per minute, as counting fractional drops is not possible in real-world medical settings. The speaker emphasizes the importance of using these rules to ensure accurate and safe medication administration.

💡medication administration

Medication administration is the process by which healthcare professionals deliver prescribed medications to patients. In nursing, this is a fundamental skill that requires precision and adherence to protocols, as incorrect dosages can have serious consequences. The video's focus on dosage calculation is directly related to ensuring safe and effective medication administration.

💡nursing sos membership community

The nursing sos membership community is a resource mentioned in the video that offers additional support for nursing students. It includes step-by-step nursing lectures, a full dosage count course, and a platform for nurses to ask questions and receive help. This community is designed to assist students in understanding complex nursing concepts and improving their skills throughout their education.

Highlights

The video provides a simple six-step process for solving dosage calculation problems in nursing school exams.

Following the six-step process will make a significant difference in solving dosage calculation problems.

The speaker has observed that many nursing instructors' methods of teaching dosage calculations are confusing and unhelpful.

The video discourages memorizing formulas for dosage calculations, as they may not be applicable to more complex problems.

Dimensional analysis, also known as the railroad method, is recommended instead of memorizing formulas.

The speaker emphasizes that dimensional analysis is easier and works every time, regardless of the complexity of the problem.

The video offers a full dosage calculation course for those who need more help with dimensional analysis.

The six-step system is introduced with a practice problem involving the infusion of normal saline.

The first step is to identify the unit required at the end of the dosage calculation problem.

The second step involves re-reading the original order to understand what was prescribed by the doctor.

Step three is about identifying the necessary conversions to solve the problem.

The speaker explains that units need to cancel each other out in dimensional analysis, aligning with the 'railroad tracks'.

The practice problem provided involves converting liters to drops and hours to minutes using the given conversion factors.

The fourth step is to multiply across the top and bottom of the 'railroad tracks' and then divide the two results.

The fifth step involves using the correct rounding rules and handling zeros when calculating drops per minute.

The final step is to double-check the math to ensure the accuracy of the dosage calculation.

The speaker offers additional resources such as a free cheat sheet, a nursing school dosage calculation box, and a membership community for further assistance.

Transcripts

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