list

1⃣ BASIC MATH FOUNDATIONS (ABSOLUTE BASE)

You must know without thinking:

Whole Numbers

  • Addition

  • Subtraction

  • Multiplication

  • Division

Decimals

  • Place value

  • Adding decimals

  • Subtracting decimals

  • Multiplying decimals

  • Dividing decimals

  • Moving decimal points correctly

Fractions

  • Proper vs improper fractions

  • Mixed numbers

  • Reducing fractions

  • Converting:

    • Fraction → decimal

    • Decimal → fraction

Percentages

  • Percent → decimal

  • Decimal → percent

  • Finding a percent of a number

Ratios

  • Writing ratios (a:b)

  • Simplifying ratios

  • Converting ratios to fractions

Order of Operations

  • PEMDAS

  • Parentheses before division/multiplication

  • Avoiding calculator order mistakes

📌 Clinical expectation: You can eyeball when an answer is dangerous or absurd.

2⃣ ROUNDING RULES (NON-NEGOTIABLE)

You must know exactly when and how to round.

When to Round

  • ONLY at the final step

  • Never round mid-calculation

Tablet Rounding

  • Nearest whole tablet

  • Nearest ½ tablet

  • Nearest ¼ tablet

  • Knowing when tablets cannot be split

Liquid Medication Rounding

  • ≥ 1 mL → round to tenths

  • < 1 mL → round to hundredths

IV Flow Rate Rounding

  • gtt/min → whole number ONLY

Zeros (Medication Safety)

  • Leading zeros:

    • ✔ 0.25 mg

    • ❌ .25 mg

  • Trailing zeros:

    • ✔ 5 mg

    • ❌ 5.0 mg

When NOT to Round

  • Critical care drips unless instructed

  • Calculations that affect safety thresholds

3⃣ UNIT CONVERSIONS (MUST BE MEMORIZED)

Weight

  • kg ↔ lb

    • 1 kg = 2.2 lb

Metric

  • g ↔ mg ↔ mcg

  • L ↔ mL

Household

  • tsp ↔ mL

  • tbsp ↔ mL

  • oz ↔ mL

Temperature (sometimes)

  • °F ↔ °C (less common but possible)

📌 Rule: Convert FIRST, calculate SECOND.

4⃣ SYSTEMS OF MEASUREMENT

You must recognize and convert between:

  • Metric system

  • Household system

  • Apothecary system (rare but testable)

Know:

  • Which system is safest (metric)

  • Why nursing uses metric

  • How errors happen between systems

5⃣ SOLID ORAL MEDICATIONS (TABLETS & CAPSULES)

You must know how to calculate:

  • Ordered dose ≠ available dose

  • Number of tablets to administer

  • Partial tablets

  • Multiple tablets per dose

Know safety rules:

  • Scored vs unscored tablets

  • When tablets cannot be crushed or split

6⃣ LIQUID ORAL MEDICATIONS

You must know:

  • mg per mL

  • mg per 5 mL labels

  • How to calculate mL to give

  • Oral syringe vs medication cup

  • Pediatric vs adult volumes

Clinical judgment:

  • Is the volume reasonable?

  • Would this cause aspiration risk?

7⃣ PARENTERAL MEDICATIONS (INJECTIONS)

Routes

  • IM

  • Subcutaneous

  • Intradermal

You must know:

  • mL to administer

  • Concentration-based dosing

  • Maximum volume per route

  • Pediatric vs adult injection limits

HIGH ALERT

  • Insulin calculations

  • Heparin calculations

  • Units vs mL confusion

8⃣ RECONSTITUTION (VERY TESTED)

You must know:

  • Powder + diluent calculations

  • Final concentration after mixing

  • How much mL to withdraw

  • Difference between:

    • Amount added

    • Final volume

Know how to read:

  • Vial instructions

  • Manufacturer labels

📌 This is pure setup logic — guessing fails.

9⃣ WEIGHT-BASED DOSING

You must know:

  • mg/kg/dose

  • mg/kg/day ÷ number of doses

  • Safe pediatric dosing

  • Adult weight-based meds

Safety:

  • ALWAYS convert lb → kg

  • Compare ordered dose to safe range

🔟 IV FLOW RATE — MANUAL (NO PUMP)

You must know:

  • gtts/min formula

  • Drop factors:

    • 10 gtt/mL

    • 15 gtt/mL

    • 20 gtt/mL

    • 60 gtt/mL (microdrip)

  • Time in minutes

  • Rounding rules

1⃣1⃣ IV PUMP CALCULATIONS

You must know:

  • mL/hr

  • Volume over time

  • Time remaining

  • Intake & output totals

Know when pump overrides manual drip.

1⃣2⃣ IV MEDICATIONS (IVPB & INFUSIONS)

You must know:

  • IV piggyback calculations

  • Infusion time calculations

  • Primary vs secondary lines

  • Rate adjustments

Clinical awareness:

  • Compatibility concepts

  • Line priority

1⃣3⃣ HIGH-ALERT & CRITICAL CARE MEDS

You must know:

  • Units/hr

  • Titration calculations

  • Weight-based drips

  • Safety limits

Examples:

  • Insulin drips

  • Heparin drips

  • Vasopressors (conceptual math)

1⃣4⃣ SAFE DOSE RANGE CHECKING

You must know:

  • Recommended dose ranges

  • How to compare ordered vs safe dose

  • Pediatric dose limits

  • When to HOLD and question orders

📌 If unsafe → do not administer.

1⃣5⃣ DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS (REQUIRED METHOD)

You must know:

  • How to set up units

  • How to cancel units

  • One-line logic

  • Why it works for ALL problems

NCLEX LOVES this method.

1⃣6⃣ RATIO & PROPORTION METHOD

You must know:

  • Writing equivalent ratios

  • Cross multiplication

  • When this method is used

1⃣7⃣ CLINICAL JUDGMENT IN DOSAGE CALC

You must know:

  • Does this dose make sense?

  • Is the route appropriate?

  • Is the volume realistic?

  • Is this safe for this patient?

This is Next-Gen NCLEX logic.