Maths Exams | Drug Calculations Help and Real Equations | Nursing School | University U.K

Claire Carmichael
21 Aug 201807:59
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe speaker, who struggled with math, shares their experience with a recent drugs calculations exam for nursing students. They emphasize the simplicity of the exam, covering basic math concepts and providing equations for common questions. The speaker reassures others that with practice, understanding the questions, and using the right equations, anyone can succeed in such exams, even those who believe they are not good at math.

Takeaways
  • 📚 The speaker initially struggled with math due to a poor grade in GCSE, but found the drugs calculations exam to be surprisingly easy.
  • 💊 The drugs calculations exam primarily involves basic math skills such as multiplication, division, fractions, decimal points, and percentages.
  • 🔍 For university applications, a basic mass in English exam may be required prior to an interview for nursing programs.
  • 📊 The first calculation example involved determining the required volume of a medication based on its concentration and prescription.
  • 🧪 A simple equation was provided for calculating the volume of medication needed: (prescribed amount / available concentration) * stock volume.
  • 📈 The percentage of weight loss in patients can be calculated by dividing the weight loss by the original weight and multiplying by 100.
  • 🩸 An example of calculating weight loss percentage was given, where a patient weighed 69 kg upon admission and 57 kg upon discharge.
  • 🌡️ Questions about IV fluids and their administration rates were also discussed, with a focus on converting minutes to hours for pump settings.
  • 👩‍⚕️ The speaker aimed to reassure fellow nursing students that the math involved in their exams is straightforward and not intended to trick them.
  • 📝 The speaker emphasized the importance of understanding the question and using the correct equations to solve problems.
  • 🎓 The overall message is one of reassurance that even those who struggle with math can succeed in nursing-related math exams with proper preparation and understanding.
Q & A

  • What is the speaker's attitude towards math?

    -The speaker considers themselves to be bad at math, having scored an E for their GCSE in math, and was initially worried about math-related tasks in nursing.

  • How long did it take the speaker to complete their drugs calculations exam?

    -The speaker finished the drugs calculations exam in seven minutes, out of the allotted 30 minutes.

  • What types of math operations are involved in the mass exams for nursing?

    -The mass exams mainly involve basic math operations such as multiplication, division, fractions, decimal points, and percentages.

  • How can one prepare for the math portion of the nursing exams?

    -The speaker suggests practicing basic math operations using resources like GCSE bite-size found on Google.

  • What was the first calculation question the speaker encountered?

    -The first calculation question involved determining how many milliliters of a 10-milligram medication in 2 mils solution are needed to provide 5 milligrams of the medication.

  • What is the general equation for calculating the dosage based on the stock medication?

    -The general equation is (prescribed dosage) / (stock dosage) * (stock volume).

  • How can one calculate the percentage of body weight a patient has lost?

    -The percentage of body weight loss is calculated by dividing the actual weight loss by the original weight and then multiplying by 100.

  • What is the rounding rule mentioned by the speaker for the percentage calculation?

    -The speaker suggests rounding down any number with a decimal point below 0.5 and rounding up if it's 0.5 or above.

  • How does the speaker explain the calculation for setting up an IV pump for a prescribed medication?

    -The speaker explains that if the doctor prescribes a certain amount of medication in a specific volume to be given over a certain time, one must adjust the pump rate according to the time frame (e.g., double the rate if the time is cut in half).

  • What advice does the speaker give to those who are nervous about the math calculations in nursing exams?

    -The speaker encourages them to not be scared and to understand that the questions are straightforward. They emphasize the importance of reading and understanding the question and using the provided equations.

  • What resource does the speaker promise to provide for further clarification?

    -The speaker promises to provide links below the video for additional resources and offers to answer any further questions.

Outlines
00:00
📚 Overcoming Math Anxiety in Nursing Exams

The speaker begins by addressing their own struggles with math and aims to reassure others that the mass exams in nursing, specifically the drugs calculations exam, are not as daunting as students may fear. They share their personal experience of panicking about the exam but emphasize that the actual exam was surprisingly easy. The speaker explains that the exam primarily involves basic math skills such as multiplication, division, fractions, decimal points, and percentages. They suggest using online resources like GCSE bite-size for practice and assure that the exam questions are straightforward and not designed to trick students. The speaker then provides a detailed example of how to calculate the dosage of medication based on the doctor's prescription and the available stock, highlighting the simplicity of the process.

05:02
🏥 Understanding Body Weight Percentage and IV Fluids Calculation

In this section, the speaker tackles two common calculation topics in nursing exams: percentage of body weight loss and IV fluids administration. They explain how to calculate the percentage of weight loss using a simple equation and provide a clear example to illustrate the process. The speaker also covers how to determine the correct pump rate for IV fluids, offering a step-by-step breakdown of the calculations required. They emphasize the importance of understanding the question and using the correct equations, reassuring students that with proper preparation and a clear understanding of the concepts, they can easily handle these calculations. The speaker concludes by encouraging students to ask questions if they need further clarification and offers to provide additional resources for better understanding.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡nursing
Nursing is a healthcare profession focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities with the intent to meet their nursing care needs. In the context of the video, the speaker is discussing the mass exams in nursing, which are a part of the educational process for nursing students. These exams assess the students' knowledge and skills in drug calculations, which is crucial for their future practice as nurses.
💡drugs calculations
Drugs calculations are mathematical computations related to the preparation and administration of medications. In nursing, it is essential to perform accurate drug calculations to ensure the correct dosage is given to patients. The video emphasizes the importance of these calculations in nursing exams and provides reassurance that they are not as difficult as students might fear.
💡GCSE
General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is a standardized exam in the United Kingdom that students typically take at the age of 16. It assesses students' proficiency in various subjects, including mathematics. In the video, the speaker mentions their GCSE math grade to emphasize their initial apprehension towards the drug calculations exam.
💡math anxiety
Math anxiety refers to the feeling of stress, anxiety, or fear related to mathematics. It is a common issue among students and can negatively affect their performance in math-related tasks. The video addresses this issue by sharing the speaker's personal experience with math anxiety and how they overcame it in the context of nursing exams.
💡percentage
Percentage is a way of expressing a number as a fraction of 100. It is used to describe a proportion or a rate. In the video, the speaker explains how to calculate the percentage of weight loss for a patient, which is a common calculation in healthcare settings.
💡IV fluids
Intravenous (IV) fluids are liquids that are administered directly into a vein, typically to deliver medication or to regulate the body's fluid balance. The video discusses how to calculate the correct rate for an IV pump, which is an essential skill for nurses when managing patient care.
💡body weight
Body weight refers to the total mass of an individual, which can be used to determine appropriate medication dosages, among other things. In healthcare, understanding body weight is crucial for accurate patient care, including the correct calculation of drug dosages based on weight.
💡exam preparation
Exam preparation involves the activities and strategies used to ready oneself for an examination. This can include studying, practicing past papers, and reviewing key concepts. In the video, the speaker offers advice on how to prepare for the drug calculations exam, emphasizing the importance of understanding basic math concepts and practicing with sample questions.
💡education
Education refers to the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, values, and habits. In the context of the video, the speaker is discussing their educational journey in nursing, including the challenges and successes they experienced in their studies.
💡reassurance
Reassurance is the act of providing comfort or confidence to someone, often to alleviate their worries or fears. In the video, the speaker aims to reassure other nursing students that the drug calculations exam is not as daunting as it may seem and that with proper preparation, they can succeed.
💡vlog
A vlog, short for video blog, is a form of blog where the content is presented in video format. Vlogs are often used for sharing personal experiences, advice, or commentary on various topics. In the video, the speaker uses a vlog format to share their experiences and provide advice to other nursing students.
Highlights

The speaker shares personal experience about their anxiety towards maths and drug calculations in nursing.

The drug calculations exam was found to be easier than expected by the speaker, completed in just seven minutes.

Basic mathematical operations like multiplication, division, fractions, decimal points, and percentages are the focus of the exam.

The speaker suggests using online resources like GCSE bite-size for practice to pass the exam.

The first calculation question involved determining the required milliliters of a medication based on its concentration.

A simple equation is provided to calculate the required medication volume based on prescription and stock availability.

The speaker emphasizes that the exam questions are not designed to trick students but to assess their practical skills.

A method for calculating the percentage of weight loss in patients is explained with an example.

The calculation for weight loss percentage involves dividing the weight loss by the original weight and multiplying by 100.

Instructions on rounding off the percentage to the nearest whole number are provided.

The speaker discusses a question about setting up an IV fluid pump rate based on prescribed medication and time.

A simple method for doubling the IV fluid rate when converting from 30 minutes to an hour is shared.

For a more complex IV fluid question, the speaker advises dividing the volume by the minutes and then multiplying by 60.

The speaker expresses hope that their explanations help demystify the drug calculations exam.

The speaker plans to provide links for further resources to help with the drug calculations.

The overall message is one of reassurance that anyone can pass the exam with understanding and practice.

Transcripts

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