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Table 1 Aspects of domain-specific mathematical knowledge related to ‘liquid medication’, ‘infusion fluid’, and ‘solid medication’ in a CBVLE

From: The effects of computer-based virtual learning environments on nursing students’ mathematical learning in medication processes

Medication domains

Domain-specific knowledge

Procedures (domain-specific rules for feedback and worked examples)

Underlying domain-specific principles for all domains

Learning tasks (examples of mathematical medication scenarios in a CBVLE)

Underlying principles (examples of exercises for computational abilities in a CBVLE)

Liquid medication (incl. dilution)

Ratio of the dissolved substance and diluent

Mass/volume (m/v)

1% = 1 gram dissolved substance/100 ml

1‰ = 1 gram dissolved substance/1000 ml (1 litre)

Volume/volume (v/v)

1% = 1 ml liquid/100 ml

1‰ = 1 ml liquid/1000 ml (1 litre)

Quantities

Units

Conversions of ratios:

a. Fractions

b. Decimals

c. Numbers

d. Percentage

Elations between a, b, c, and d

Divide

Multiplication

h, min, s (time ratio)

Elements of the prescription dispensed

Extract numerical information

Apply calculations correctly and accurately

P. suffers severe pain. He is prescribed 15 mg morphine every 4 hours. Stocked: 1 ml morphine ampoules of 15 mg/ml. How many ml do you inject every four hours? How many ml is this per day?

16 × 8 =

12 × 9 =

1/4 + 3/4 = 1/4 =

3/3 + 5/3 =

3/4 − 2/8 =

14/5 − 9/5 =

3/4 × 4/5 =

5/10 × 4/8 =

4/5:2/5 =

3/5:1/3 =

1/4 = 0.25

1/20 = 0.05

0.09 = ….%

0.50 = ….%

75% = 0.75

30% = 0.30

How much is:

5% of 1000 ml?

4% of 250 ml?

1 L = …ML

1 ML = …CC

Infusion fluid

Drip rating

20 drops/ml

1. Calculate the total number of drips

2. Calculate the drips/h

1. 3. Calculate the drips/min

 

G. is administered a drip of 500 ml 0.9% NaCl. in three hours. How many drips are administered to G. per minute?

Solid medication

Dosage calculation for tablets

Count, divide, multiply, work with fractions, reference measurements:

24 h in a day

60 min in an h

50% = 1/2

1/4 = 25%

etc.

 

F. suffers from cystitis. She receives treatment with antibiotics for six days: 750 mg Amoxicillin every 12 hours. Stocked: Flemoxin with 375 mg Amoxicillin per tablet. How many tablets should F. swallow during treatment?