IV drugs: assessing pupils in Botswana.

This small study set out to establish the abilities of a group of pupil nurses in a rural hospital in Botswana to accurately calculate intravenous driprates and drug dosages, and how targeted teaching could improve their performance. Thirteen pupils were asked to complete a seven-item questionnaire comprising set questions on intravenous therapy, then take a second questionnaire after receiving targeted teaching. Comparison revealed that two specific problems, related to dripsets and dilutent displacement, remained after teaching, but that improvements in scores in the 'incorrect with little immediate risk' and 'correct' categories had been achieved. The author suggests that formal testing and targeted teaching are appropriate methods of helping pupil nurses evaluate and improve their skills and knowledge base.