Improving Medication Calculations of Nursing Students through Simulation: An Integrative Review

Abstract

Medication errors represent a leading medical cause of patient mortality. Consequently, accurate medication administration is a primary focus of nursing education curricula. Nursing students have difficulty learning math calculation skills related to medications, which indicates a need to change educational strategies in nursing curricula. Evidence-based modifications of a nursing curriculum can improve student nurses' ability to think critically and conceptualize medication dosage problems. The current body of evidence was reviewed and found to include valuable nursing education strategies that improve the accuracy of math calculations related to medication administration by student nurses. Nursing students must be taught math calculation skills for medication administration early in the curriculum and often. Sufficient practice in realistic, simulated settings can effectively reinforce these skills. Four teaching strategies are supported by the literature: (a) math skills must be taught early and reinforced often throughout the nursing curriculum; (b) simulation with real, practical problem solving provided the best learning outcomes; (c) accurate ways to assess math competency must be developed; and (d) nursing students' confidence can be increased by improving math calculation skills.