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Does the Addition of Images to the Medication Dosage Calculation Exam Improve Metacognitive Components and
Dorit Weil-Lotan1, Amy Solnica, Julie Benbenishty
1Author Affiliations: Tel Aviv-Yaffo Academic College School of Nursing Sciences, Tel Aviv-Yaffo, Israel (Drs Weil-Lotan and Benbenishty); Henrietta Szold School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel (Mrs Solnica and Dr Benbenishty); and Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel (Mrs Ilsar).
Background:
Accurate dosage calculation is vital for patient safety, making effective instructional methods a priority in nursing education.
Purpose:
This study investigated whether embedding images of medications or syringes in medication calculation exams affects students' performance and metacognitive judgments.
Methods:
In a randomized controlled trial, 120 students took a calculation exam either with images (n = 63) or without (n = 57). Performance and ease of learning judgments were analyzed using t -tests, analyses of covariance, and logistic regression.
Results:
The image group achieved significantly higher scores ( M = 7.22 vs. 6.04/8, P < .001) and reported greater perceived ease of learning P < .001). The benefit was pronounced for early-semester students. The effect of the image remained significant after controlling for native language. Calibration accuracy showed no significant difference.
Conclusions:
Images in medication dosage calculation exams were associated with improved performance and higher perceived ease of learning among nursing students. Incorporating images may better support the mastery of medication calculation.
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