University of Nebraska Medical Center

CON Medication Math Competency Requirements

Revision as of 13:02, May 21, 2026 by Jbarrier (talk | contribs) (→Criteria for Math Competencies)
Home   Student Policies                    


UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER
COLLEGE OF NURSING
Medication Math Competency Requirements Policy: 2202 (5.2.2)
Student Policies - Undergraduate Students Originating Dates: August 2004
Responsible Reviewing Agency:
Undergraduate Affairs Committee

Final Approving Agency:
General Faculty Organization
Revised: December 2008
Revised: May 2010
Reviewed: November 2012
Revised: November 2017
Revised: December 2018
Revised: April 2022
Revised: October 2023 (changes)
Revised: August 2025 (changes)
Revised: May 2026 (changes)


Purpose

Establishes criteria for math competencies.

Scope

This policy applies to all undergraduate students.

Policy

  1. Math competency will be evaluated at each level of the curriculum. Evaluating these competencies is the responsibility of the Patient Centered Care Clinical (PCCC) courses I, II, III and IV. Faculty will provide students with practice exercises prior to taking the first math competency at each level.
  2. Content can be assessed throughout the semester through the following methods: simulation, skills lab, quizzes, or unit exams.
  3. The following conversions are expected of students in both forward and backward directions :

    Criteria for Math Competencies

         Competency Content    Content To Be Taught
       Semester 1
    1. Knowledge from previous courses
    2. Calculate number of pills/milliliters (mL) to give
    3. Conversions of micrograms (mcg) to milligrams (mg)
    4. pounds (lb) to kilograms (kg)
    5. inches to centimeters (cm)
    6. Kilogram to milligram
    7. Ounces (oz) to mililiter (mL), teaspoons (tsp) to mL
    8. Liter (L) to mililiter (mL)
    9. Gram to kilogram
    10. Teaspons (tsp) to Tablespoons (TBSP)
    1. Correctly read labels of vials, ampules, and bottles
    2. Calculate dose for syringes
    3. Calculate correct dosage of insulin
    4. Calculate the correct amount of dilute solution for medication (powder reconstitution or diluting total dose)
    5. Calculate administration rate of enteral feedings.
    6. Calculate range (upper and lower according to recommended range) and dose versus daily amount.
       Semester 2    Content tested and taught in semester 1.
    1. Calculate the rate to administer intravenous (IV) solution/med for a given set rate or order (per different tubing delivery rates)
    2. Calculate length of time IV solutions will run
    3. Calculate rate of Intravenous Push (IVP) medications
    4. Calculate concentration of solution/medication
       Semester 3    Content tested and taught in semesters 1 and 2.
    1. Calculate amount of drug when ordered by prescribed units/mL, mL/hour, units/min and units/hour (e.g. heparin, lidocaine)
    2. Calculate body surface area, dose/m2, mg/body survace area with formula provided
       Semester 4    Content tested and taught in semesters 1, 2 and 3.
    1. Calculate infusion rates of a drug for a specific body weight per unit time (mcg/kg)
  4. Each competecy will be administered within the first two weeks of a student's scheduled patient care clinical in that semester. The number of questions and/or the method used on the math competency will be agreed upon through the cross-campus coordinators for the PCCC course for consistency acros divisions. This information will be included in the course syllabus. Questions will cover the content taught in previous courses/semester (For example: At the beginning of semester 2, the math competency will cover content assessed and learned in semester 1.)
  5. Students do not pass the required math competency if they miss more than one question. Students are able to take the competency up to a total of five times during the semester. Students are required to complete remediation between competencies under the guidance of a faculty member. Students will be allowed to repeat the compentency when both student and faculty member are prepared to do so. Students will not pass medications in the clinical area until they have passed the competency. Students will also receive a Needs Improvement (NI) related to medications on the clinical evaluation tool until the student passes the competency if they are in a patient care setting where passing medications is an expectation.
  6. Failure to pass the medication math competency exam after five attempts will result in failure of the clinical course, and competency must be demostrated no later than the midpoint of each semester's clinical experience invlving direct client care.
  7. The Director of the Undergraduate Program and division assistant dean will be notified of any student not meeting the math competency requirements in any semester.
Retrieved from "https://wiki.unmc.edu/index.php?title=CON_Medication_Math_Competency_Requirements&oldid=18951"