Fall 2009
Angelina College
Health Careers Division
RNSG 1208: Dosage Calculations for Nursing
General Syllabus
I. BASIC COURSE INFORMATION
A. Course Description: Two hours credit. Reading, interpreting, and solving calculation problems encountered in the preparation of medications. Includes conversion of measurements within the apothecary, avoirdupois, and metric system. This course lends itself to either a blocked or integrated approach. Thirty-two classroom hours. Learning Outcomes: Solve problems using a critical thinking approach and convert between the metric, apothecary, and avoirdupois systems.
B. Intended Audience: Student working towards a degree in the health care field.
C. Instructor:
Instructor's Name: Ellen S Duke, MSN, R.N.
Office Hours: Appointment only
E-mail Address:
Instructors may also be reached through the main Health Careers I telephone number at 936-633-5265. If the instructor is not available, please leave a message with Kay Gibbs, the Program Secretary, and she will relay the message to the instructor.
II. INTENDED STUDENT OUTCOMES
A.Core Competencies (Basic Intellectual Competencies)
1.Reading: Reading at the college level means the ability to analyze and interpret a variety of printed materials, books, articles, and documents. A core curriculum should offer students the opportunity to master both general methods of analyzing printed materials and specific methods for analyzing the subject matter of individual disciplines.
2.Writing: Competency in writing is the ability to produce clear, correct, and coherent prose adapted to purpose, occasion, and audience. Although correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation are each a sine qua non in any composition, they do not automatically ensure that the composition itself makes sense or that the writer has much of anything to say. Students need to be familiar with the writing process including how to discover a topic and how to develop and organize it, how to phrase it effectively for their audience. These abilities can be acquired only through practice and reflection.
3.Speaking: Competence in speaking is the ability to communicate orally in clear, coherent, and persuasive language appropriate to purpose, occasion, and audience. Developing this competency includes acquiring poise and developing control of the language through experience in making presentations to small groups, to large groups, and through the media.
4.Listening: Listening at the college level means the ability to analyze and interpret various forms of spoken communication.
5.Critical Thinking: Angelina College defines critical thinking as the dynamic process of questioning preconceptions and biases through the gathering and evaluation of data to reach new conclusions that consider realistic implications and consequences.
6.Computer Literacy: Computer literacy at the college level means the ability to use computer-based technology in communicating, solving problems, and acquiring information. Core-educated students should have an understanding of the limits, problems, and possibilities associated with the use of technology, and should have the tools necessary to evaluate and learn new technologies as they become available.
B. Exemplary Objectives -Not applicable for this course.
C. Course Objectives for all sections
On completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Be proficient in conversions within measurement systems.
2. Solve equations using cancellation, reduction and basic math.
3. Calculate safe dosages for pediatric patients.
4. Be proficient in entry level nursing dosage calculations.
D. Course Objectives as determined by the instructor –
Math Review
1. Identify the importance of decimals.
2. Discuss rounding.
3. Perform calculations by using fractions.
4. Perform calculations by using decimal numbers.
5. Demonstrate calculation requiring basic math operations.
Systems of Measurement
6. Discuss metric, apothecary, and household systems utilized to calculate medication dosages.
7. Perform the calculations necessary to convert a measurement expressed in one standard unit within the system to a measurement expressed in another unit within that same system, for the metric or household system.
8. Identify formula to convert between Fahrenheit and Celsius temperatures.
9. Review practice problems
10. Demonstrate proper conversion from pounds to kilograms and kilograms to pounds, temperatures, metric, apothecary, and household systems.
Methods of Administration
11. Discuss the six rights of medication administration.
12. Discuss common abbreviations.
13. Identify medication errors and causes of medication errors.
14. Interpret medication orders.
Dosage Calculation Methods
15. Discuss the various methods (ratio and proportion, formula method, dimensional analysis) utilized to calculate medication dosages.
16. Calculate medication dosages utilizing the ratio and proportion method.
17. Calculate medication dosages utilizing the formula method.
18. Calculate medication dosages utilizing the alternate formula method.
19. Calculate medication dosages utilizing the dimensional analysis method.
20. Determine a method of calculation to use (individual student preference).
Forms of Medication Administration
21. Identify various forms of oral medications.
22. Calculate oral dosages of medications.
23. Identify types and supplies used for subcutaneous, intradermal, and intramuscular medication administration.
24. Calculate dosages of subcutaneous, intradermal, and intramuscular medications.
25. Identify various types of insulin, methods for mixing insulin and types of insulin syringes.
26. Demonstrate calculation of oral medications.
IV Calculations, Solutions, and Equipment Lessons
27. Discuss parenteral dosage forms.
28. Identify types of IV solutions and equipment used for IV administration.
29. Discuss concept of reconstitution.
30. Discuss administration of medications by IV push.
31. Review practice problems.
32. Demonstrate calculation of IV calculations.
Pediatric and Adult Calculation Based on Weight
33. Review principles relating to weight conversion.
34. Use labels to show the recommended dosages.
35. Review terms such as divided dosage and daily dosage.
36. Discuss safe and unsafe dosages.
37. Demonstrate proficiency of pediatric and adult calculations based on weight.
Heparin Calculations
38. Discuss importance of correct dosages.
39. Discuss use of tuberculin syringe in administering subcutaneous dosages and administration of heparin by infusion pump.
40. Practice calculation of units per hour (using ratio and proportion).
41. Determine milliliters per hour from units per hour.
42. Discuss the determination of heparin dosages according to a client’s weight.
43. Review practice problems.
44. Demonstrate calculation of heparin dosages based on weight.
III. ASSESSMENT MEASURES OF STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
A. Assessments for the Core Intellectual Competencies
1.Reading - Competency in reading will be assessed through the student's reading and understanding of course material, references and participation in discussion board reading assignments.
2.Writing - Competency in writing is assessed through the discussion board writing assignments.
3.Speaking - Competency in speaking is assessed through small-group activities and interpersonal communication with instructors and peers.
4.Listening - Competency in listening is assessed through the student's response to questions, demonstration of ability to follow instructions, and ability to participate in small-group activities and listening to video streams online.
5.Critical Thinking - Competency in critical thinking is assessed through student's ability to discuss and complete weekly critical thinking assignments. (QEP Focus)
6.Computer Literacy - Competency in computer literacy will be assessed by the student's ability to complete assigned computer assisted instruction, on line testing, and web ct course materials. This course is totally online, maximizing the students computer literacy knowledge.
B.Assessments for the Exemplary Objectives Specific to the Course - Not applicable for this course.
C. Assessments for Objectives Specific to the Course
SCANS (Secretary of Labor‘s Commission of Achieving Necessary Skills):
Students are expected to demonstrate basic competency in academic and workforce skills. The following competencies with evaluation are covered in RNSG1208.
Foundation Skills
Written Assignments
Required Reading
Critical Thinking Case Studies & Quizzes
Demonstrated Competency in Computer Literacy
Workplace Competencies
Computer Assisted Instruction
Written Discussion Board Entries
D.Assessments for the Objectives of the Course as determined by the Instructor - Same as stated above
IV. INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES
A. Methodologies common to all sections
Audio visual aids
Computer assisted instruction
Educational games
Group discussion
Independent study
Lecture
On-line Math Lab
WebCT instruction
B. Methodologies determined by the instructor - Not applicable for this course.
V. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND POLICIES
A. Required Textbooks, Materials and Equipment
Calculate with Confidence, Morris (2006). (User Guide, Access Code, and Textbook Package), 4th Edition. ISBN: 0323026311. See online orientation packet for access code details.
B. Assignments -Students will participate in the online course by reading the required textbook and online lecture notes, interacting with multimedia computer files, and communicating with the instructor and classmates through discussion board and e-mail.
Students will be required to participate in a lab/practice sessions through discussion questions and participation online. These sessions will be accomplished using Blackboard.
C. Course Policies - (This course conforms to the policies of Angelina College as stated in the Angelina College Handbook.)
VI.COURSE CONTENT
A. Content/ Topics (see Course Documents for details)
1. Math Review
2. Systems of Measurement
3. Methods of Administration
4. Dosage Calculation Methods
5. Forms of Medication Administration
6. IV Calculations, Solutions, and Equipment Lessons
7. Pediatric and Adult Calculation Based on Weight
8. Heparin Calculations
B. Additional Content (as required by the individual Instructor) - None
VII. EVALUATION AND GRADING
A. Grading Criteria - The course grade is based on quizzes, participation in labs, and a Final Exam.
Methods of Evaluation:
Quizzes - 50%
Lab Discussion Questions and Participation – 20%
Final Exam - 30%
This exam will be taken ON CAMPUS (date and time TBA). Your final exam counts as your Dosage Calculation Entry Exam for entry into the AC nursing program. If you do not score 90% or greater, you will be allowed to retake the Dosage Calculation Entry Exam (2) more times (for a total of 3 times). Your first attempt on the Dosage Calculation Entry Exam/Final Exam is the only grade that is accepted for this course RNSG1208. If you do not score a 90% or greater on the Dosage Calculation Entry Exam/Final Exam, you will contract with the AC Nursing Program Coordinator (NPC) to take the Dosage Calculation Entry Exam at a scheduled time. This does NOT reflect your grade in this course. All grades for RNSG1208 are based on the first attempt ONLY.
B. Determination of Grade
Grading Scale
Grading Scale:
A=90 or above
B=80-89
C=70-79
D=60-69
F=59 or below
VIII. SYLLABUS MODIFICATION - The instructor may modify the provisions of the syllabus to meet individual class needs by informing the class in advance as to the changes being made.