Medication Calculation Skills in Nursing Students of Arak University of Medical Sciences in 2007

Introduction: Accurate medication calculation is a critical skill that nurses must demonstrate in order to administer medications safely. However, the ability of nursing students to calculate the correct dasage of medications has been mentioned as a concern in numerous studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of nursing students in medication calculation. Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 76 nursing students were selected. The data gathering tool was a questionnaire consisted of three parts including demographic information, students' views toward their interest and ability in medication calculation, and 20 questions about medication calculation. After gathering the questionnaires, they were analyzed by SPSS software using statistical t-test, ANOVA, and correlation coefficient. Results: According to most students, calculating medication dosage was simple (65.78 percents), they were interested in it (55.26 percents), and they had enough proficiency in performing this activity (63.15 percents). Six students (7.89 percents) had provided correct answers to all of 20 questions and 33 ones (43.42) had responded to 75 percents of the questions correctly. The mean and standard deviation of students' scores were 14.9±6.2. There was a significant relationship between the semester and interest in medication calculation, and the test results. Conclusion: Although medication calculation is one of the essential skills for nurses few participants had provided correct answers to all of the questions. This reveals the importance of this skill and a need to emphasize on medication calculation in nursing students' education.