Calculator usage
Most nursing calculations carried out for assessment purposes are usually performed without the use of a calculator so it is important that you can do the calculations manually (on paper) or in your head. It is therefore recommended that the questions in the chapters are answered without the use of a calculator. You can, should you wish, use a calculator to check your answers for the purpose of studying, but carry out the calculations manually first.
Diagnostic test
The purpose of this exercise is to highlight the numeracy and mathematics required for the modern nurse. Attempt the diagnostic test, without using a calculator, to assess your current understanding and mathematical ability. Solutions are provided at the end of this chapter, along with advice on which chapters within this book to refer to for further assistance or revision. Appropriate online resources that you could use to aid your learning further, and for practice purposes, are recommended. The two main websites that have been recommended here are BBC Bitesize and the Higher Education Academy Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Mathcentre website. You may also like to use the Open University (OU) OpenLearn website, which gives free access to learning materials.
For this test you do not need any prior knowledge of healthcare or nursing terminology. The aim of the test is for you to ascertain your own numerical and mathematical ability in addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, factors and metric conversions, all of which will be used throughout your future career as a registered nurse.
This diagnostic test is designed to allow you to determine your current level of mathematical ability; it is not a speed test. Hence you may take as long as you feel necessary to undertake this exercise. It is suggested that you complete the test by yourself to ascertain your own strengths and weaknesses in your numerical and mathematical ability. Seeking assistance at this point will not give you a true indication of your strengths and the areas in need of further revision.
Each section, consisting of ten questions, introduces you, the future registered nurse, to some of the calculations needed to accurately determine the correct amount of medication to be given to your future patients. In later chapters you will use the skills tested here to carry out the more specialised nursing calculations you will use throughout your career.
The questions below cover the maths you need to accurately complete the range of nursing calculations covered in this book as well as those you will see as a registered nurse. At the end of the test, check your answers and make an assessment of where you need to start. Alternatively, you can work through the whole book and come back to the diagnostic test at a later stage.
There is no need for you to worry if you cannot do some of the questions at this stage, since you can work through the book at your own pace to improve your numerical and mathematical ability.
It is your decision what chapter or chapters you wish to work through once you have identified gaps ...
