Calculation Skills for Nurses (eBook)

Claire Boyd is Practice Development Trainer in the Learning and Research Centre at North Bristol Healthcare Trust. She develops, designs, delivers and evaluates learning programmes and contributes in ensuring effective clinical governance. She organises the transition training program for student nurses and support of these nurses in clinical areas.

Preface vii

Introduction ix

Acknowledgements xiii

Latin Abbreviations xv

The 24-Hour Clock xvii

Part 1: Diagnosis 1

1 Calculations Revision 3

2 Calculations Self-Assessment 23

Part 2: Understanding Nursing Calculations 27

3 Metric Units and Conversions 29

4 Tablets and Capsules 33

5 Liquids and Injectables 39

6 Syringes and Meniscus 47

7 Displacement Values 57

8 Dosages According to Body Weight 63

9 Drip Rates 67

10 Drip-Rate Duration 73

11 Syringe Drivers and Pumps 77

12 Paediatric Nursing 85

Part 3: Putting It All into Practice 97

13 Fluid Charts 99

14 Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) Assessment 105

15 Early Warning Score (EWS) Assessment 109

16 Waterlow Assessment 115

17 Prescription Charts 119

18 Looking at Budgets 125

19 Interpreting Data 129

20 Employment Services 135

21 Body Mass Index 139

Part 4: Testing Your Knowledge 143

22 Knowledge Tests 145

Answers to Activity Questions 153

PART 5: APPENDICES 163

Appendix 1: Fluid Chart 165

Appendix 2: Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool 169

Appendix 3: Bristol Observation Chart 177

Appendix 4: Waterlow Pressure Ulcer Prevention/Treatment Policy 179

Appendix 5: Conversion Tables 181

Bibliography 183

Index 185

"Everyone who has anything to do with drug calculations
should have this book, even the doctors! Anyone who enjoys maths
would also love this book, especially if you are likely to want to
teach any of it." (Nursing Times, 30 July
2014)

"This book, by a registered nurse and practice
development trainer, is concise and easy to
follow." (Nursing Older People, 1 November
2013)