Simulated IV Pumps in Pathopharmacology: A Safety-Focused Approach for Mastering Medication Safety.

BACKGROUND

Medication safety is a core nursing competency, yet up to half of new graduate nurses are involved in errors. Traditional dosage calculation instruction often lacks clinical context, leaving students unprepared to translate dosage calculation into practice. This project explored the integration of tablet-based simulated IV pumps into a prelicensure nursing pathopharmacology course to strengthen experiential learning and confidence.

METHOD: Second-semester accelerated baccalaureate nursing students (N = 88) used simulated IV pump tablets alongside existing dosage calculation curriculum. Students completed infusion calculations manually and programmed the calculated rates into the tablets. Data included dosage exam first-time pass rates and pre/post self-reported confidence with IV pump programming.

RESULTS

Students exposed to the innovation demonstrated higher first-time pass rates (87.5% vs. 76%) and increased confidence in programming continuous infusions.

CONCLUSION

Preliminary findings suggest simulated IV pump tablets are a feasible and scalable educational strategy to enhance medication safety and practice readiness in prelicensure nursing curricula.