YOUR GUIDE TO MATH IN NURSING SCHOOL | Step-by-Step Examples | Making Med Math Easy!

Kristen Marie
10 Apr 202110:12
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this informative video, Kristen, a final semester nursing student, addresses common concerns about math in nursing school. She explains the necessity of basic math skills for dosage calculations, weight-based calculations, and IV rates, and emphasizes the importance of understanding medication labels and conversions between units. Kristen shares her preferred methods for solving math problems in nursing scenarios and recommends the resource 'Calculate with Confidence' for additional practice, reassuring viewers that with preparation, they can excel in nursing school math.

Takeaways
  • πŸ“š Nursing school involves math skills like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and handling fractions and decimals.
  • πŸ’Š Students will frequently perform dosage calculations, weight-based calculations, IV drip factors, and IV rates.
  • πŸ“ˆ Math is essential for nursing as it helps in determining correct medication doses and understanding physician's orders.
  • πŸ‘Ά Weight-based calculations are common in pediatric care, requiring conversions from kilograms to pounds and vice versa.
  • πŸ”„ Familiarity with unit conversions (e.g., kilograms to pounds, teaspoons to milliliters) is crucial for accurate nursing calculations.
  • πŸ“ Understanding medication labels is important for dosage calculations and administering the correct medication amounts.
  • πŸ§ͺ Dosage calculations can be solved using different methods, such as setting up a ratio or using the 'ordered over available' formula.
  • πŸ•’ IV rates typically involve calculating milliliters per hour, and minutes must be converted to hours for proper setup.
  • πŸ“– The book 'Calculate with Confidence' is a recommended resource for nursing students to practice and improve math skills related to nursing.
  • 🚫 Some nursing schools may not allow calculators or only allow basic models, so students should be comfortable solving problems without advanced tools.
  • πŸ‘ The video creator encourages nursing students to seek out additional resources and practice to feel more confident in their nursing math abilities.
Q & A
  • What is the speaker's current status in her nursing education?

    -The speaker is in her fourth and final semester of nursing school and is a little over a month away from graduation.

  • What basic math skills are essential for nursing school?

    -Nursing students should be comfortable with addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and working with fractions and decimals.

  • What types of math problems are commonly encountered in nursing school?

    -Common math problems in nursing school include dosage calculations, weight-based calculations, IV drip factors, and IV rates.

  • Why is math important in nursing school and the nursing profession?

    -Math is important because nurses often need to perform dosage calculations to ensure the correct amount of medication is administered, especially when the available dose differs from what is ordered. Additionally, nurses need to calculate doses based on a patient's weight, particularly in pediatric care.

  • How does one convert between kilograms and pounds?

    -To convert from kilograms to pounds, multiply the kilogram amount by 2.2. To convert from pounds to kilograms, divide the pound amount by 2.2.

  • What are some units that nurses need to be comfortable converting between?

    -Nurses should be comfortable converting between units such as teaspoons to milliliters, milliliters to teaspoons, and tablespoons to teaspoons.

  • What is the speaker's preferred method for dosage calculations?

    -The speaker prefers setting up a ratio with what is known (the amount of medication available per unit) and what is unknown (the number of units needed to reach the ordered dosage), then solving for the unknown.

  • How does the speaker handle medication labels in dosage calculations?

    -The speaker emphasizes the importance of getting comfortable looking at medication labels as a lot of the necessary information for dosage calculations comes straight from the label.

  • What is an example of a weight-based calculation in nursing?

    -An example is calculating a dose of Tylenol, which is ordered at 10 milligrams per kilogram. If a patient weighs 9 pounds, the nurse must first convert the weight to kilograms, then calculate the total milligrams needed based on the weight, and finally determine the amount of medication to administer.

  • How does the speaker describe IV rates?

    -The speaker describes IV rates as the simplest type of math problem in nursing. To solve them, one must figure out the milliliters per hour. If minutes are given, they must be converted to hours.

  • What resource does the speaker recommend for nursing students who need additional math practice?

    -The speaker recommends the book 'Calculate with Confidence', which provides many examples of practice questions and tips for conversions, and was a required resource at her school.

Outlines
00:00
πŸ“š Introduction to Math in Nursing School

Kristen introduces herself and her YouTube channel, mentioning her final semester in nursing school. She addresses common questions about the role of math in nursing, emphasizing the importance of basic math skills such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and comfort with fractions and decimals. Kristen explains that math is crucial for dosage calculations, weight-based calculations, IV drip factors, and rates. She also discusses the need to be comfortable with unit conversions, such as kilograms to pounds and teaspoons to milliliters, and mentions a specific chart she uses for conversions. Kristen notes that some nursing schools may not allow calculators, so students should be prepared to do math problems without them.

05:02
πŸ’Š Dosage Calculations and Medication Labels

Kristen delves into dosage calculations, explaining two methods to solve for the required dosage: using the equation 'ordered over available' times the amount, and setting up a ratio. She emphasizes the importance of understanding medication labels and provides an example calculation for Motrin. Kristen also discusses weight-based calculations, especially relevant for pediatric patients, and provides an example using Tylenol. She stresses the need to convert weights from pounds to kilograms and to calculate the correct dosage based on the patient's weight.

10:03
🩰 IV Rates and Math Resources for Nursing Students

The video continues with Kristen explaining IV rates, noting their simplicity compared to other math problems in nursing. She provides an example of calculating an IV infusion rate, converting minutes to hours when necessary. Kristen then recommends a resource called 'Calculate with Confidence,' which was a required text for her nursing school. She describes the book as a valuable tool with numerous practice questions and tips for conversions, and mentions that it is available for rent online. Kristen concludes the video by encouraging viewers to like, subscribe, and join her online community, wishing them luck on their nursing journey.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Nursing School
Nursing School refers to an educational institution that provides professional education and training for individuals pursuing a career in nursing. In the context of the video, the speaker is a student in her final semester of nursing school and discusses the relevance of math in the nursing curriculum.
πŸ’‘Math Skills
Math skills encompass a range of abilities including basic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, as well as working with fractions and decimals. In nursing school, these skills are crucial for dosage calculations, weight-based calculations, and understanding medication labels.
πŸ’‘ Dosage Calculations
Dosage calculations are the mathematical processes used to determine the correct amount of medication to administer to a patient. This involves understanding and applying medical orders, often requiring the conversion of units and the use of ratios.
πŸ’‘Weight-Based Calculations
Weight-based calculations are used in healthcare to determine dosages based on a patient's weight. This is particularly important for pediatric patients. Nurses must convert weights from pounds to kilograms and calculate the appropriate dosage accordingly.
πŸ’‘IV Drip Factors and Rates
IV drip factors and rates refer to the speed at which intravenous fluids or medications are administered to a patient. Understanding these rates is critical for safe and effective patient care, as it involves calculating the correct flow rate in milliliters per hour based on the ordered infusion time.
πŸ’‘Conversions
Conversions in the context of nursing involve the process of changing one unit of measurement to another, such as from kilograms to pounds or teaspoons to milliliters. This skill is essential for accurate medication administration and understanding various measurements in healthcare.
πŸ’‘Medication Labels
Medication labels are the information placards attached to medicine packaging, providing crucial details about the drug, including its name, dosage, instructions, and potential side effects. Nurses must be proficient in reading and interpreting these labels to ensure correct dosage calculations and safe medication administration.
πŸ’‘Calculator Use
Calculator use in nursing school refers to the permitted types of calculators that students can use to assist with math-related tasks. Some schools may restrict the use of certain calculator types, such as high-tech or scientific calculators, to encourage students to become comfortable with calculations without technological aids.
πŸ’‘Calculate with Confidence
Calculate with Confidence is a resource mentioned in the video, which is a book providing practice questions and examples for nursing students to improve their math skills. The book covers a variety of math-related topics essential for nursing and is designed to build confidence in students' mathematical abilities.
πŸ’‘Nursing Journey
The nursing journey refers to the personal and professional path of an individual pursuing a career in nursing. It encompasses the educational process, practical experiences, and the ongoing development of skills and knowledge required to become a competent and effective nurse.
Highlights

Kristen introduces herself and her YouTube channel, mentioning she is in her fourth and final semester of nursing school.

She addresses the common concern about the necessity of math in nursing school and assures viewers that basic math skills are required.

Kristen explains the importance of being comfortable with fractions and decimals in nursing school math problems.

Examples of math problems in nursing school include dosage calculations, weight-based calculations, IV drip factors, and IV rates.

The reason for learning math in nursing school is to accurately calculate correct dosages when the exact amount isn't readily available.

Nurses often need to perform weight-based calculations, especially for pediatric patients.

Kristen emphasizes the importance of memorizing unit conversions, such as kilograms to pounds and teaspoons to milliliters.

She mentions that some nursing schools may not allow calculators, so students should be comfortable with doing math problems without one.

Kristen provides an example of dosage calculation, explaining how to determine the correct number of medication tablets to administer.

She demonstrates how to convert pounds to kilograms for weight-based medication calculations.

Kristen simplifies IV rates by explaining that they generally require calculating milliliters per hour.

An example of calculating IV infusion rates is provided, showing how to convert minutes to hours for accurate rate determination.

Kristen recommends the book 'Calculate with Confidence' as a resource for students needing additional math practice in a nursing context.

The book offers a wealth of practice questions and examples, making it a valuable tool for nursing students.

She concludes the video by encouraging viewers and wishing them luck on their nursing journey.

Transcripts
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