Med Math

It’s that time again. Or at least soon. The beginning of a new term and another med math exam before starting on the floor. As important as these tests are, I dread them every time.  Math has NEVER been a strong suit for me. EVER. I remember hating it as early as 1st grade… back when I didn’t get to pick a prize out of the prize box because I couldn’t finish the timed test in a minute!

But by now these tests should be second nature, right? RIGHT! Sort of. With the exception of one ridiculously lengthy and obscure math test that involved an essay on administering an IM injection to a very muscular football player, the math tests have been surprisingly do-able for even my math skills. On my last test, I even found a few that didn’t have a correct answer to choose from, so that made me feel even better about my skills. Until now.

I get that it’s our last quarter, and everything has just stepped up a notch. More responsibility, more patients, more meds to be given, but I guess I didn’t anticipate more math! We just got a “study guide” for our med math test that we’ll be taking in a week and a half, and I am already hitting the books to prevent from hyperventilating the night before the test. There are standard calculations, yes, but then questions about insulin and peak times, and hypoglycemic effects. Injection sites, pain management, and pathology of pain. The list goes on. And while I’m sure all it’s going to take is a bit more review, it was the straw that just about broke my back in this already hectic spring break.

I guess all I’m saying is a little more consistency in our exams would be a help. We’ve been given simple calculations this whole time, and now it’s like BOOM here’s the rest of everything – know it! It’s do-able, just like the rest of it was, I’m sure. But part of me still feels like that 1st grader who just can’t finish in time for the prize.  Anyone have any med-math test study tips? What helps you get the info down?