NUR 1142 Intro-Math/Pharm 4

MIAMI-DADE COLLEGE

Medical Center Campus

School of Nursing

COURSE # NUR 1142

& TITLE: Introduction to Nursing Math & Pharmacology

PLACEMENT IN

CURRICULUM: Level I Semester 1

Prerequisites: ENC 1101, BSC 2085, BSC 2085L, CHM 1033, CHM 1033L,

PHI 2604, BSC 2086, BSC 2086L, HSC 0001

Co-requisites: Fundamentals of Nursing, Fundamentals of Nursing Clinical Laboratory, Fundamentals of Nursing Skills Laboratory, Health Assessment, PPE 1005

COURSE CREDIT: 1 Credit

CLASS DAY / TIME: Monday 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

September 8th – November 10th

FACULTY: Kathy Thomas RN, MSN

Office: Rm. 2355

Phone: 305-237-4264 Email:

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course introduces basic principles of pharmacology along with the conceptual and mathematical operations necessary for safe and effective administration of oral, topical, parenteral, and intravenous medications and/or solutions. Application of the nursing process as it relates to medication administration is also discussed.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of this course the student, with assistance from the faculty, will be able to:

1.  Recognize and express the basic systems of measurement used to calculate

pharmacologic dosages.

2.  Perform basic mathematical computations that involve Arabic numbers, Roman

numerals, fractions, and decimals as they relate to administration of various

drugs and/or solutions.

3.  Recognize the appropriate calibrations required to regulate an intravenous (IV) solution according to the specified tubing and/or infusion device.

4.  Calculate the flow rate and assess safe dosages for IV medications administered

over a specific period of time according to the specified tubing and/or infusion

device.

TEXTBOOKS & STUDENT RESOURCES

Required Textbooks:

MDCC School of Nursing. Nursing Curriculum: Level 1 – Modules

Pickar, Gloria (1999). Dosage Calculations, (6th edition). Albany, NY: Delmar Pub.

Ochs, G., Potter, P, Perry, A. (2001). Fundamentals of nursing study guide and

skill performance checklist. St. Louis, MO: Mosby.

Potter, P., Perry, A. (2002). Basic fundamentals of nursing (6th ed.).

St. Louis, MO: Mosby.

Student Resources:

Nurse Pro-Cal – computer software available in the Student Success Center.

Smart Thinking Software Package: Math Tutorial Available in the Student Success Center

Tutoring -

A completed tutoring referral form is included in this syllabus. If you feel you are in need of remediation, take this form to the Student Success Center for tutoring assistance or to use the above named software.

Calculators - A calculator for computations should be brought to each class.

Calculators with data storage capabilities will not be permitted for exams.

TEACHING/LEARNING METHODS:

Lecture with group discussion; written assignments; Written examinations

Multi-media presentations; Computer-based self-Assessment exercises.


EVALUATION METHODS

Course Grading Policy:

1.  Components of Grade:

4 unit tests (15% each) 60%

Comprehensive Final Exam 30%

Self-Assessment Exercises 5%

Smart Thinking Exercises 5%

2. School of Nursing Grading Scale:

93-100% A 69 – 76% D

85-92% B Below 69% F

77-84% C

3.  Method of Communicating Grades:

Grades for each test will be posted no later than one week after taking the test.

4. Make-up Tests:

There will be no make up tests for this course.

If a student is unable to attend class on the day a test is scheduled the weight of the final will be increased by the weight of each test missed.

5. Test Review:

Faculty will review exam content when test results are distributed. Students who wish to review their own test results must schedule an appointment with the faculty within one week after receiving individual results.

ATTENDANCE:

Attendance is required in order for students to successfully meet the course

objectives. Students who miss any scheduled lectures are responsible for

acquiring the missed information.

PROGRESSION:

In order to progress to Semester 2, students must earn a grade of “S” and/or “C”

or higher in every nursing course required this semester. See co-requisites.


COURSE CALENDAR

DAY: Friday TIME: 2:00 – 3:30PM

WEEK/DATE

/

TOPIC / CONTENT*

/

READING

ASSIGNMENTS

WEEK 1Sept 8 /

Overview of Course

Introduction to Math/Pharmacology
Abbreviations: Medication Administration /

Syllabus

Curriculum* pp. 150-152
Pickar: pp. 7 - 36
WEEK 2Sept. 15 /

Introduction to Systems Measurement:

The Metric System

The Apothecary System

The Household Systems /

Pickar: pp. 61-72

WEEK 3Sept. 22 /

Quiz # 1

Mathematical Problem Solving Methods for

Dosage Calculations:
Desired/Have/Quantity / Pickar: pp. 39 – 46;
pp. 150 - 158
WEEK 4Sept. 29 /

Dosage Calculations:

Ratio: Proportion
Factor (Dimensional) Analysis / Pickar: pp. 47 – 51
pp. 235 - 239
WEEK 5Oct. 6 /

Quiz # 2

Conversions & Calculations:
Non-Parenteral Medications / Pickar: pp. 154-168
WEEK 6Oct. 13 /
Conversions & Calculations
Parenteral Medications
Injectable Medications in Powdered Form /

Pickar: pp. 181-187; 193-201; 206-214; 271-277

WEEK 7Oct. 20 / Quiz # 3
Conversions & Calculations:
Pediatric Drug Administration
IV infusions / Pickar: pp. 245-252
Pickar: pp. 294-305;
WEEK 8Oct. 27 / Conversions & Calculations:
I.V. Infusions & Medications /

Pickar: pp. 314– 320; 355-360

WEEK 9Nov. 3 /

Quiz # 4

Review: Major Concepts
Course / Faculty Evaluations /
WEEK 10Nov. 10 / Comprehensive Final Exam

* Refers to Nursing Curriculum Level I Semester 1

Students are expected to prepare for each class by doing the reading

assignments and any preparatory self-assessment exercises prior to

each class meeting.

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