How to pass your nursing interview | Drug calculations for nursing students

Maria Avi Nursing Personal Statement
20 Jan 201913:30
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this informative video, Maria guides viewers through various drug calculation scenarios relevant to nursing exams, emphasizing the importance of understanding conversion between different units of measurement. She provides a step-by-step approach to calculating dosages, from simple tablet counts to more complex IV infusion rates, and encourages viewers to visit her website for additional resources and a dedicated video on the interview process.

Takeaways
  • 📚 Start with basic dosage calculations and progress to more complex IV infusion rate questions.
  • 🧮 Memorize conversion factors between units (e.g., ton to kilogram, gram to milligram, etc.) for quick calculations.
  • 💊 Use the formula: (prescribed amount / available dose) * unit per dose to calculate the number of tablets or mils needed.
  • 🔄 Always ensure that the units of the prescribed amount and available dose are the same before performing calculations.
  • 🎓 Prepare for interviews by practicing with different types of drug calculation questions to increase familiarity and confidence.
  • 🌐 Check Maria's website for more complex questions and detailed information on the interview process.
  • 📊 Convert milligrams to grams by dividing by 1000, and micrograms to grams by dividing by 1000 twice.
  • 🩸 For IV infusion rates, divide the total volume by the number of hours, or total minutes by 60 to find the hourly rate in mils per minute.
  • 📑 Keep a conversion table handy during interviews and tests for quick reference.
  • 🤔 Double-check your work, especially when converting between units, to avoid calculation errors.
  • 📈 Practice with random values to become comfortable with the process and to prepare for real-life scenarios.
Q & A

  • What is the primary focus of Maria's video?

    -The primary focus of Maria's video is to guide viewers through various drug calculation questions, particularly those relevant to nursing students preparing for their interviews and exams.

  • How does Maria suggest preparing for mass calculations during a nursing interview?

    -Maria suggests memorizing a conversion table that helps in calculating dosages from a ton all the way down to a nanogram, and writing this table down on the exam paper to refer back to during the test.

  • What is the formula Maria uses for calculating the number of tablets needed for a prescribed dosage?

    -The formula Maria uses is: (What has been prescribed) / (Dose available) * (Quantity per unit dose).

  • How many tablets does a patient need if prescribed 80 milligrams of Drug X and the available dose is 10 milligrams per tablet?

    -The patient would need 8 tablets, as calculated by dividing the prescribed dosage (80 mg) by the available dose (10 mg) and multiplying by 1, since each tablet contains 10 mg.

  • What mistake does Maria point out in the calculation for the patient prescribed 500 milligrams of Drug X in liquid form?

    -The mistake Maria points out is that the units of measurement for the prescribed dosage (milligrams) and the available dose (grams) were not the same, which requires conversion before calculation.

  • How does Maria correct the error in the calculation for the patient's 500 milligrams dosage in liquid form?

    -Maria corrects the error by converting the prescribed dosage from milligrams to grams, then uses the formula with the same units, resulting in the correct calculation for the number of mills needed.

  • What is the hourly rate for a patient prescribed 500 milliliters of fluids to be infused over 8 hours?

    -The hourly rate is 62.5 milliliters, calculated by dividing the total volume (500 milliliters) by the total time in hours (8 hours).

  • How many mils per hour does a patient need if prescribed 2 liters over 2 days?

    -The patient needs 41.67 mils per hour, calculated by converting 2 liters to 2000 mills, dividing by the total time in hours (48 hours), and getting the result.

  • What is the hourly rate in mills for a patient prescribed 800 mils over 45 minutes?

    -The hourly rate is approximately 1066.67 mills, calculated by first determining the rate for 45 minutes (17.78 mills) and then converting this to an hourly rate by multiplying by 60 (the minutes in an hour).

  • Where can viewers find more complex drug calculation questions and interview preparation materials?

    -Viewers can find more complex drug calculation questions and interview preparation materials on Maria's website, which is mentioned in the video.

  • What is the purpose of the conversion table Maria refers to in the video?

    -The conversion table is used to facilitate the conversion between different units of measurement, such as from micrograms to grams or milligrams to grams, which is essential for accurate drug dosage calculations.

Outlines
00:00
📚 Introduction to Drug Calculations

The video begins with Maria introducing the topic of drug calculations, specifically focusing on dosage calculations and IV infusion rates. She emphasizes the importance of knowing the conversion factors between different units of measurement, such as tons to kilograms, grams to milligrams, and micrograms to nanograms. Maria provides a formula for calculating dosages, which involves dividing the prescribed amount by the available dose and multiplying by the unit size. She uses examples to illustrate the process, such as calculating the number of tablets needed based on a patient's prescription and the available dosage form. Maria also mentions the availability of more complex questions and a dedicated video on the interview process on her website.

05:00
🧪 Converting Dosage Units and Handling Errors

In this paragraph, Maria continues to discuss the intricacies of dosage calculations, highlighting the need to convert between different units such as micrograms to grams. She provides a step-by-step guide on how to perform these conversions correctly, emphasizing the importance of not taking shortcuts that could lead to errors. Maria uses a hypothetical scenario where a patient is prescribed a large number of micrograms and the available dosage form is in grams, demonstrating how to convert and apply the formula to find the correct dosage. She also warns against common mistakes, such as incorrect conversion factors, and offers tips for ensuring accuracy in calculations.

10:01
🩰 Calculation of IV Infusion Rates

Maria concludes the video by discussing the calculation of IV infusion rates. She presents different scenarios where a patient is prescribed a certain volume of fluids to be infused over a specific period. Maria shows how to calculate the hourly infusion rate by dividing the total volume by the number of hours or minutes, as appropriate. She provides clear examples, such as calculating the hourly rate for a prescription of 500 mL over 8 hours and 2 liters over 2 days. Maria also addresses a more complex scenario involving an 800 mL infusion over 45 minutes and how to convert this to an hourly rate. She encourages viewers to visit her website for more complex questions and answers, reinforcing the importance of understanding these calculations for nursing interviews and practice.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Drug Calculation
Drug Calculation refers to the process of determining the correct dosage of medication for a patient based on their prescription. In the video, Maria explains various methods and formulas to calculate dosages, emphasizing the importance of accurate calculations for patient safety. This concept is central to the video's theme of preparing for nursing interviews and ensuring proper medication administration.
💡IV Infusion Rates
IV Infusion Rates pertain to the speed at which intravenous (IV) fluids or medications are administered to a patient. Maria discusses how to calculate these rates based on the prescribed volume of fluids and the duration for which they are to be infused. Understanding IV infusion rates is crucial for managing patient care effectively and is a key component of the video's educational content.
💡Nursing Interview
A Nursing Interview is a process where potential nursing candidates meet with employers to assess their suitability for a nursing position. The video is framed around the context of preparing for such interviews, with Maria providing tips and strategies to handle drug calculation questions that may arise during the interview. This keyword is integral to the video's purpose, which is to equip viewers with the knowledge and skills needed for their professional development.
💡Conversion Factors
Conversion Factors are used to convert measurements from one unit to another, such as from milligrams to grams or liters to mils. In the context of the video, Maria emphasizes the importance of knowing these factors to accurately calculate drug dosages and IV infusion rates. This concept is essential for ensuring correct medication administration and is a recurring theme throughout the video.
💡Prescription
A Prescription is a medical instruction from a healthcare provider to a patient, detailing the type, dose, and frequency of medication to be taken. In the video, prescriptions serve as the basis for the drug calculation examples provided. Understanding and accurately interpreting prescriptions is a fundamental skill for nurses, which is why it is a key concept in the video.
💡Unit Conversion
Unit Conversion is the process of changing a physical quantity from one unit to another. In the video, unit conversion is a critical skill for calculating drug dosages and IV infusion rates, as medications are often prescribed in different units and must be converted to match the available forms. This concept is integral to the accuracy and safety of medication administration.
💡Formula
In the context of the video, a Formula refers to a mathematical expression used to calculate drug dosages or IV infusion rates. Maria provides specific formulas for different types of drug calculation scenarios, emphasizing their utility in arriving at accurate and consistent results. The use of formulas is a central theme of the video, as they are essential tools for nurses during medication administration.
💡Mental Math
Mental Math involves performing mathematical calculations in one's head without the use of external tools. In the video, Maria encourages the use of mental math for quick and efficient drug dosage calculations, which is a valuable skill in a nursing setting where timely decisions are crucial. This concept is highlighted as a key strategy for success in nursing interviews and practical nursing tasks.
💡Website
In the video, Maria's website is mentioned as a resource for viewers seeking more complex drug calculation questions and information on the nursing interview process. The website serves as an extension of the video content, providing additional educational material for those looking to further their knowledge and preparation.
💡Error Checking
Error Checking is the process of reviewing calculations and procedures to identify and correct mistakes. In the video, Maria emphasizes the importance of error checking when performing drug calculations, as inaccuracies can have serious consequences for patient care. This concept is crucial for maintaining accuracy and safety in medication administration.
💡Powers of Ten
Powers of Ten are mathematical expressions used to represent the multiplication of the number ten by itself a certain number of times. In the context of the video, Maria discusses using powers of ten for converting between micrograms and grams, which is a common calculation in drug dosage. Understanding powers of ten is important for accurate and efficient unit conversion in nursing.
Highlights

Maria introduces the video by mentioning that it will cover drug calculation questions, particularly useful for those preparing for nursing exams.

The video begins with simple dosage calculations and progresses to more complex IV infusion rate questions.

Maria emphasizes the importance of memorizing conversion rates between different drug dosage units, such as tons, kilograms, grams, milligrams, micrograms, and nanograms.

A formula is provided for calculating the number of tablets needed: (what has been prescribed) / (dose available) * (what it is in).

An example calculation is given for a patient prescribed 80 milligrams of a drug, with a available dose of 10 milligrams per tablet, resulting in 8 tablets needed.

Maria explains how to calculate the number of mils needed for a drug prescription, using the formula and an example of 400 micrograms prescribed with a drug available in 250 micrograms per mil.

A mistake is pointed out in a calculation where the units of prescription and available dose do not match, emphasizing the need to ensure they are in the same unit before calculation.

Maria provides a tip on converting micrograms to grams, clarifying the common mistake of not dividing by a thousand twice, but instead trying to take a shortcut with two thousand.

The video includes a calculation for a patient prescribed 500 milligrams of a drug in liquid form, with the drug available as 1.2 grams in 10 mils.

Maria explains the conversion of drug dosages from micrograms to grams using the power of one thousand, and the importance of not taking shortcuts in calculations.

A calculation is provided for a patient needing 670,000 micrograms of a drug, with the drug available as 2 grams per 4 mils, resulting in a need for 1.34 mils.

The video covers IV infusion rates, with an example calculation for 500 mils of fluids to be infused over 8 hours, resulting in an hourly rate of 62.5 mils.

Another IV infusion calculation is provided for a patient prescribed 2 liters over 2 days, resulting in an hourly rate of 41.67 mils.

The final IV infusion calculation example is for 800 mils over 45 minutes, with a conversion to an hourly rate of 1066.67 mils.

Maria encourages viewers to visit her website for more complex questions and a 30-minute video dedicated to the interview process.

The video concludes with Maria wishing the viewers success in their interviews and promising more content in future videos.

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