Exploring the numeracy skills of nurses and students when performing drug calculations

It is essential for patient safety that nurses are able to competently perform numerical and drug calculations.

This study aimed to investigate and compare the numerical and drug calculating abilities of second year student nurses and registered nurses attending a non-medical prescribing programme (McMullan et al, 2010).

All participants were given validated numerical and drug calculation tests. Data collection tookplace in 2006.

Some 55% of students and 45% of nurses failed the numeracy test, while 92% and 89% respectively failed the drug calculation test (at a pass level of 60%). Both students and nurses were more able to perform calculations for solids, oral liquids and injections than calculations for drug percentages, drip and infusion rates. Nurses were more able than students to perform basic numerical calculations and calculations for solids, oral liquids and injections.

To prevent deskilling and ensure patient safety, nurses should regularly practise and refresh all types of drug calculations with self testing. Time should be set aside in university curricula to enable student nurses to learn how to perform basic numerical and drug calculations. During clinical placements, this learning should be reinforced through regular nursing practice and assessment.