RESUMO
Mistakes in calculation can lead to potentially dangerous prescribing errors. This article takes the nurse prescriber through some basic calculations and points out the possible pitfalls.
Assuntos
Prescrições de Medicamentos , Tratamento Farmacológico/enfermagem , Matemática , Autonomia Profissional , Abreviaturas como Assunto , Competência Clínica/normas , Tratamento Farmacológico/normas , Efeitos Colaterais e Reações Adversas Relacionados a Medicamentos , Escrita Manual , Humanos , Erros de Medicação/prevenção & controle , Sistema Métrico , SegurançaRESUMO
UNLABELLED: This pilot study compares the results of medications calculations carried out by student nurses using an online assessment tool with the results of the same calculations carried out within simulated practice. The numeracy project, of which this is part, is funded by NHS Education for Scotland (NES). OBJECTIVE: To test the efficacy of a realistic computer-based assessment of pre-registration nurses' medication calculations skills by comparing outcomes from using an online assessment tool with a practical assessment tool in the style of an Objective Structured Clinical Examination OSCE. Both assessment methods used medicine calculations usually presenting authentically in the practice setting. DESIGN: A multi-stage quantitative study using a cross-over design. SAMPLE: Fifty early 3rd year students on the adult branch of a pre-registration nursing programme at a large school of nursing in England. RESULTS: Results showed that, for assessing accuracy of calculation, there was a high level of congruence between the two methods. CONCLUSIONS: Computerised assessment of medications calculations using this particular platform is likely to closely mirror assessment of medication calculations done in a practical setting. As such it could be a useful adjunct to current assessment methods.
Assuntos
Competência Clínica , Instrução por Computador , Cálculos da Dosagem de Medicamento , Bacharelado em Enfermagem , Avaliação Educacional/métodos , Adulto , Cápsulas , Competência Clínica/normas , Instrução por Computador/métodos , Estudos Cross-Over , Tratamento Farmacológico/enfermagem , Bacharelado em Enfermagem/métodos , Avaliação Educacional/normas , Inglaterra , Humanos , Infusões Intravenosas/enfermagem , Injeções/enfermagem , Pesquisa em Educação em Enfermagem , Projetos Piloto , ComprimidosRESUMO
Aims and intended learning outcomes: This article covers the numeracy skills required in the administration of intravenous (IV) therapy in the acute setting. It begins by considering everyday practice with straightforward prescriptions and progresses to more complex calculations. The article also encourages the practitioner to consider other related features of IV therapy.