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Calculations for Pharmacology
Course Description
All students should have completed an MAT 109 Pre-Calculus satisfactorily - C or better! While the placement exam states 101 or higher good working knowledge of factoring, linear equations, rational expressions, domain and range, radicals and radical equations, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonomentic functions, trigonometric identities, trigonometric equations and inverse trigonometric functions. Review this material and be prepared. If you are deficient in any of these areas plese see me immediately during the first week of the given term.
Prerequisite: Permission to register depends on Math placement score of 25/15 or completion of required math remediation.
Co-requisite: NUR 113 or permission of the instructor
Required Materials
Textbooks: Craig, G. (1997) Clinical Calculations Using Dimensional AnalysisPhiladelphia: Lippincott.
Other: Computer Assisted Instruction Resource Learning Center with staffing and hardware to support practice of calculations using Delmar’s “Accu-Calc” and Lippincott's "Calculate with Care" network program.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the student will demonstrate by written examination with an accuracy of at least 75% the ability to calculate:
- Conversions within the metric and household measurement systems.
- Conversions between the metric, apothecary and household systems.
- Enteral feeding solution dilutions.
- Adult and pediatric drug dosages by weight and volume.
- Intravenous fluid infusion rates.
Grading
Competencies 1, 2, 3 are evaluated by performance on a Unit I examination which requires the student to convert within and between the metric, apothecary and household systems of measurement.
Competencies 1, 3, are evaluated by performance on a Unit II examination which requires the student to calculate drug dosages.
Competencies 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 are evaluated by performance on a comprehensive final examination which requires the student to do conversions, and to calculate adult and pediatric dosages and intravenous fluid rates.
A minimum grade of 75% is required to pass the course. The final numerical course grade is determined by adding 40% of the combined scores of the Unit I and Unit II examinations to 60% of the score of the comprehensive final examination. (See the "Grading and Testing Policy" for NUR 103/NUR 103E.)