Ability of registered nurses to accurately calculate medication dosages

Each day nurses are required to use their knowledge and skills to calculate medication dosages. Many drugs could be lethal if given in the wrong amount. Although calculating dosages correctly is extremely important, review of the literature suggests nurses continue to make frequent errors many of which they are not aware. Theorists have posed many possible causes as to why this problem exists. The solution to the problem remains a mystery. It is the responsibility of the nursing community to find the answer to this age-old problem and correct it. The intent of this experimental study at a regional medical center located in the mid-western United States was three-fold. First, to determine the perceived level of mathematical ability through use of a self-evaluation tool, and then to determine the actual classification of acquired mathematical skill based on Patricia Benner's Novice to Expert model of skill acquisition. The second intent was to determine if use of calculators for testing made a difference in correctly calculating drug doses. Third, to determine if achievement anxiety is related to the ability of nurses to correctly calculate drug dosages. All subjects were voluntary, randomly selected and the information obtained was both confidential and anonymous. Each of the 83 participants in the control and experimental groups were asked to complete a demographic sheet, Mathematical Ability Scale, Academic Achievement Test, and a 16-question mathematical ability test. Using inferential statistics, a two-tailed t test was used to evaluate group differences. There were no differences in math calculation scores based on the demographic data. A statistical difference was noted in the subjects ability to perceive his or her own ability. The scores showed higher levels than perceived. Participants who used calculators had higher scores than those who did not. Anxiety level related to achievement ability did not make a statistical difference in this study. A replication of this study to determine significance of calculator use and determinants of why or why not nurses chose to use them would contribute significantly to nursing's empirical body of knowledge on this subject.