Critical Thinking: Nursing Calculations Part 2

Critical Thinking: Nursing Calculations

Part 2

Presented by:

12400 High Bluff Dr San Diego, CA 92130

This course has been approved for two (2) contact hours. This course expires on April 20, 2006.

Copyright ? 2004 by All Rights Reserved. Reproduction and distribution of these

materials are prohibited without the express written authorization of .

First Published: April 20, 2004

Acknowledgements................................................................................................................................... 2 Purpose and Objectives............................................................................................................................ 3 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 4 Keys to Calculation Success .................................................................................................................... 5 Conversions.............................................................................................................................................. 8 Overview of Healthcare related Conversions ......................................................................................... 9

Metric Scale ....................................................................................................................................................... 9 U.S Customary System and Metric Unit Conversions................................................................................. 10 Conversions between the Centigrade and Fahrenheit Temperature Scales .............................................. 11 Conversion Math: Equivalents ...................................................................................................................... 11 Conversion Math: Ratio/Proportion ............................................................................................................. 11 Conversion Math: Formula Method ............................................................................................................. 13 Conversion Math: Dimensional Analysis...................................................................................................... 14 Conversions In Nursing Practice .......................................................................................................... 15 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................. 25 References .............................................................................................................................................. 26 Post Test Viewing Instructions.............................................................................................................. 27

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

acknowledges the valuable contributions of...

... Bette Case. Since 1993, Bette has practiced as an independent consultant to a broad spectrum of healthcare organizations including American Mobile Healthcare, Inc., professional schools, professional organizations, hospitals, disease management companies, managed care organizations, a public health department and providers of continuing nursing education. She works with her clients to assist them in achieving their goals by using educational, competency management and quality improvement strategies. She is also a partner in Clinical Care Solutions, Inc., which focuses its business on improving medication safety. She presents continuing education offerings at a variety of national and regional conferences. She has published on the topics of critical thinking, test construction, competency testing, precepting and career development. She has also written numerous continuing education self-study courses and prepared competence tests for a variety of nursing specialties. She serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing and on a regional advisory board for Advance Magazines. Prior to establishing her consulting practice, she held leadership positions in the school of nursing and the nursing department at Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago, IL. She has taught nursing students of all levels and college of education students. As a practicing nurse she enjoyed the roles of staff LPN, medical surgical staff nurse, school health nurse and camp nurse. She is an active member of the Nursing Staff Development Organization (NNSDO) and was among the first group of nurses to receive certification in Nursing Staff Development and Continuing Education from the American Nurses Association Credentialing Center (ANCC). She earned her BSN at Syracuse University and her MSN and Ph.D. in educational psychology at Loyola University of Chicago.

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PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

The purpose of Critical Thinking: Nursing Calculations Part 2 is to provide information about basic facts and principles of calculations related to conversions between different measurement systems. 1. Identify reasons why nurses need to maintain competency in performing selected calculations even

though technology and pharmacy support relieves nurses of performing calculations in many situations. 2. Describe selected basic concepts, facts and principles of algebra and mathematics. 3. Perform calculations correctly using:

a. Formula (where applicable) b. Ratio and proportion 4. Identify advantages and disadvantages of the different calculation methods: a. Formula (where applicable) b. Ratio and proportion 5. Convert correctly between selected units of measure: a. Within the metric system b. Between United States Customary measures and the metric system c. Between selected cooking measures and the metric system d. Between Celsius (centigrade) and Fahrenheit temperature scales 6. Calculate drug dosages correctly, finding correct dosages and correct amounts to administer given prescriber orders, selected patient parameters, and concentrations and amounts on hand.

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INTRODUCTION

Whether you are a veteran nurse or a new graduate, medication safety is a critical part of your job. Patients' safety and lives depend on receiving the correct dose of medications. This three-part series of courses reviews basic skills related to safely calculating medication dosages. Part 1 of the series deals with the metric system and conversions to and from the metric system. Part 2 considers calculations related to medications and Part 3 addresses IV calculations. Part 2 of this series reviews the conversions from Part 1 and puts these concepts to use in real world clinical situations. Applying the concepts necessary to correctly calculate oral and injectable medications is addressed.

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