Abstract
Background: Incorrect drug dose calculations by nursing students can cause drug errors and harm patients. Their ability to calculate the correct dosage of drugs consistently need to be evaluated regularly. The objective of the study was to evaluate the drug dose calculation ability of nursing students.Methods: A pre-post interventional study was conducted among 99 undergraduate nursing students studying in 2nd, 3rd and 4th year. Pre-test was conducted using a 20-item self-administered questionnaire on drug dose calculation test followed by a 30 minute lecture on the methods of drug dose calculation. Post-test was conducted using the same questionnaire after a washout period of six weeks. Mean score, standard deviation, frequency and percentage were calculated. Student t test, one way ANOVA and McNemar Test were used for statistical analysis using SPSS version 11.5 at P-value of 0.05.Results: Pre-test and post-test mean score were 10.59 ± 3.00 and 15.36 ± 2.46 respectively. There was 45.04% increase in mean score in the post-test after the intervention and it was statistically significant (P-value < 0.05). None of students scored more than 90% of mastery level in the pretest and 42 students (42.4%) scored more than 90% of mastery level in the post-test. The mean score was highest for third year students in both pre-test and post-test; however, it was statistically not significant (P-value > 0.05).Conclusions: Drug dose calculation ability of the students was poor in the pre-test and it significantly improved after the intervention. The study findings highlight the need for regular continuing mathematical and drug dose calculation practice among the students.
Students who developed logical reasoning skills reported improved confidence in drug dose calculation: Feedback from remedial maths classes
