Module 1 - Numbers and Operations¶
Overview¶
Learn about different number types you will come across as well as operations like multiplication and rounding.
Work through each topic in order. Complete the checkpoint questions and skip the module if you're good to go.
Learning Objectives¶
By the end of this module you should be able to:
- Perform operations with whole numbers, fractions, and decimals
- Round numbers correctly to the required decimal place
- Calculate percentages
- Recognize and apply patient safety rules around decimal notation
- Apply these skills to basic clinical scenarios
Topics¶
| Topic | Key Skills |
|---|---|
| Whole Numbers | Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division |
| Fractions | Simplifying, multiplying, dividing, adding |
| Decimals | Operations, comparing, leading and trailing zeros |
| Rounding | Nearest whole, tenth, hundredth — nursing standards |
| Percentages | Converting, calculating, IV concentrations |
Estimated Time¶
Approximately 1-2 hours including practice problems.
Clinical Relevance¶
Why This Matters
Every dosage calculation in this course reduces to basic arithmetic at the final step. A rounding error, a misplaced decimal point, or a percentage miscalculation can result in a patient receiving the wrong dose.
These are not abstract math skills — they are patient safety skills.
Before You Begin
Have a pen and paper ready. Attempt every practice problem by hand before checking the answer. Writing out each step builds the habit of showing your work — which is expected in clinical practice and on competency exams.
Patient Safety — Decimal Notation
Two rules you must know before any medication calculation:
- Always write a leading zero — 0.5 mg not .5 mg
- Never write a trailing zero — 5 mg not 5.0 mg
These rules exist because misread decimals are a leading cause of medication errors. They will be reinforced throughout this course.