Question

Explain why the nurse should know how to calculate his or her own medications, even if the pharmacy has already calculated the medication

Answer 1

Drug calculation is a skill that all nurses should practice and master.

Reason why the nurses should know to calculate medication are :

1) drug administration and monitoring is the duty performed by nurses.

2) age and sex plays an important role in determining the dose of the medication and route of administration, therefore the nurse should know which medication is better suited to a particular patient.

3) infant, adult, and early dose calculation depending upon the weight of the person and other factors are also the tasks that nurse has to complete. Therefore without knowing how to administer and monitor medicine and to administer intravenous therapy, it is impossible for nurses to do the task.

4) medication calculation skill also make it possible to correctly interpret the instructions written by the physician or prescriber.

5) this skill also allows the nurse to monitor patient for the possible side effects of a drug and make decisions in discontinuing the medication in case of severe reaction.

6) patient assessment becomes easy and alternate therapy can be prescribed in emergency condition by nurses.

7) in situation where doctors and surgeon not present at the site where patient is need of medication, service of nurse come in handy.

8) route of administration of drug has to be determined by the nurse when giving the medication to the patient(specially emergency conditions).This can be done only if the nurse has enough knowledge in the context of medication calculation.

9) status of kidney and liver function should be established before calculating a dose of a particular medication, therefore nurses need to learn drug calculation formulas.

10) knowing the skill of drug calculation makes the nurse confident of her abilities as a healthcare professional and helps to perform her duties more responsibility and with commitment.