ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE OF MATHEMATICAL CALCULATION FOR THE NURSE.
Contributors: University of Cincinnati.
Published: 1990
Number of pages: 136
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: This study was conducted to identify the essential knowledge component specific to mathematics calculation required for safe nursing care, at entry into practice and for successful negotiation of the work assignment undertaken. The Delphi technique, in a series of 3 Rounds, was used to establish consensus among experts in this curriculum endeavor. The panelists who participated in the study were experts in the area of mathematical calculation in nursing. Round 1 asked a broad open-ended question regarding the body of knowledge that the staff nurse must possess in order to calculate medication dosage accurately. An analysis of the responses from Questionnaire #1 was conducted by a committee of qualified persons who established categories for the items listed. The items with the respondents' rationales were presented to the panel in Round 2. Questionnaire #2 asked the panelists to rank the items of each category in order of importance, with comments to support that position. The frequency distribution of the ratings, mean score, and summary of the comments for the items were distributed to the panel in Round 3. The responses received from questionnaire #3 were analyzed using frequency distributions of the rankings of the votes, and mean and standard deviation, to establish criteria for determining consensus of essential knowledge. The study participants were able to reach consensus at the end of three rounds. Essential knowledge of mathematical calculation expected of nurses at entry into practice was clearly defined. The findings of this study will provide a guide for curriculum development for the mathematics objectives and expectations of both the formal and the informal components of the nursing program curriculum. It is anticipated that the results of this study, when implemented, will enhance the quality of nursing care provided by nurses.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 51-11, Section: B, page: 5248.

Thesis (ED.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI, 1990.

School code: 0045.