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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
10:58
Multimedia Battery for Assessment of Cognitive and Basic Skills in Mathematics (BM-PROMA)
Published on: August 28, 2021
The effect of context on nursing student math aptitude
Sarah E Newton1, Gary Moore, Margaret Harris
1Oakland University School of Nursing, Rochester, MI 48309, USA. newton@oakland.edu
Summary
Many nursing students struggle with medication calculations. This study explored how reading and English skills impact success on medication calculation assessments (MCAs), crucial for safe nursing practice.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Education
- Health Sciences
- Academic Assessment
Background:
- Math proficiency is essential for nursing tasks like medication calculations.
- Many nursing students face challenges with medication calculation assessments (MCAs).
- Factors beyond math aptitude, such as reading comprehension, influence MCA performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of reading and English aptitude on baccalaureate nursing students' success in medication calculation assessments.
- To identify contextual factors that contribute to nursing students' ability to pass MCAs.
Main Methods:
- The study focused on baccalaureate nursing students during their junior year.
- It analyzed the relationship between students' reading and English aptitude and their performance on MCAs.
- Data was collected on students' performance on a standardized MCA.
Main Results:
- Reading and English aptitude were found to be significant factors influencing students' ability to pass MCAs.
- These skills appear to mediate the relationship between basic math ability and successful medication calculation.
Conclusions:
- Nurse educators should consider reading and English aptitude when developing curricula and support for medication calculation skills.
- Interventions aimed at improving reading comprehension and English proficiency may enhance nursing students' MCA performance.
- A holistic approach, addressing both quantitative and qualitative skills, is necessary for effective nursing education in medication administration.
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