An Indispensable Requirement for Medical Dosage Calculation: Basic Mathematical Skills of Baccalaureate Nursing Students.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: While drug dosage calculation is vital in nursing, research indicates nursing students often struggle with necessary mathematics competencies, a gap not previously explored in the Arab world. This study assessed the basic mathematical skills of baccalaureate nursing students in a branch of a Saudi Arabian public university and compared the findings with studies conducted in other countries, which have consistently reported better performance. By highlighting these disparities, this study underscored the need for global educational reforms to ensure safe nursing practices. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Three hundred and thirty students were invited; consenting students completed a mathematics experts-validated 45-question test covering four key areas: numbers and operations, data interpretation, measurement, and algebraic applications. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to detect differences in scores based on gender. An independent-samples Kruskal-Wallis test was conducted to compare the three student groups simultaneously. As this test was statistically significant, post hoc pairwise comparisons were performed to assess differences in scores between the first and second, first and third, and second and third levels of study. Results: A response rate of 40.6% was achieved. Scores ranged from 3 to 58 (median: 18, 27%), with only 2% passing (≥60%). Significant differences in scores were found between genders (p = 0.037) and across study levels (p = 0.002). Overall, 25 (56%) items were difficult, while 20 (44%) were moderately difficult. Conclusions: The low median score underscored a critical need for interventions to improve mathematical competencies in nursing students, affecting medication safety in healthcare systems.