Medication math dosage assessment anxiety in undergraduate nursing students: A systematic review.

Abstract

BACKGROUND\nMedication calculation assessment is commonplace in undergraduate nursing programs. A test is routinely used to assist in the determination of safe medication administration practice in a clinical setting. Multiple factors negatively impact student performance.\n\n\nAIM\nThe aim of this article is to analyze current literature related to medication calculation assessment and undergraduate nursing student anxiety.\n\n\nMETHOD\nA systematic review was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Articles included were peer-reviewed publications focused on undergraduate nursing student anxiety related to medication dosage calculation.\n\n\nFINDINGS\nAnxiety related to medication calculation assessments can stem from students personal lives and previous math experiences. Interventions related to increasing self-efficacy can impact student performance on assessments.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nA variety of interventions to assist undergraduate nursing students increase performance on assessments were indicated in the literature. Advances in educational technologies allow for more assessment options to facilitate safe medication practices.