Syllabus for Spring 2007

NRSG1213: Math for Nurses

LPN or LPN/LPTN to RN Transition Program

(This course will not transfer to meet the

BSN requirement of College Algebra)

COURSE TITLE AND DESCRIPTION

MATH 1213: Math for Nurses(3 Credit Hours)

Provides instruction in dosage calculation using ratio to proportion as well as other means of calculation related to medication. Topics include; interpretation of drug labels, syringe types, conversions, roman numerals, reconstitution and apothecaries, mixing medications, IV flow rates, drip rates, interpretation of physician orders and transcribing to Medication Administration Records, dispensing, andproper documentation of medications as well as the Six Rights of Med administration and military time.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS:

Ogden, Sheila J. (2005). Calculation of Drug Dosages, A work Text(7th edition).

St. Louis, MO: Mosby

ISBN # 0-323-04110-8

REFERENCE:

Drug Handbook either 2006 or 2007 edition for verification of safe dosages

EXAM SCHEDULE AND BLUEPRINT

Spring 2007

Date / Test # / CONTENT
Week one / 1 / Review of Mathematics Pre-Test
Chapter 1 Fractions and
Exam
Week two / 2 / Chapter 2 Decimals and
Exam
Week three / 3 / Chapter 3 Percents and
Exam
Week four / 4 / Chapter 4 Ratios and
Exam
Week five / 5 / Chapter 5 Proportions and Exam
Review of Mathematics Post Exam
Week six / 6 / Chapter 6 Metric and Household Measurements and
Exam
Week seven / 7 / Chapter 7 and 8 Apothecary and Household Measurements, Equivalents between Apothecary and Metric Measurements and Exams
Week eight / 8 / Chapters 9, 10, 11
Interpretation of Physician’s Orders, How to Read Drug labels, Dimensional Analysis and the Calculation of Drug Dosages and Exams
Week nine / 9 / Chapter 12 Oral Dosages and
Exam
Week ten / 10 / Chapter 13 Parenteral Dosages and
Exam
Week eleven / 11 / Chapter 14 Dosages Measured in Units and
Exam
Week twelve / 12 / Chapter 15 Intravenous Flow Rates and
Exam
Week thirteen / 13 / Chapter 16 Critical Care IV Flow Rates and
Exam
Week fourteen / 14 / Chapter 17 Pediatric Dosages and
Exam
Week fifteen / FINAL / Chapters 18, 19, 20
Automated Medication Dispensing Systems, Special Considerations for the Administration of Medications to the Elderly, Home Care Considerations of Medications and
Comprehensive Final

Grading Policy:

A. The following grade equivalency is established for this course:

A = 90-100

B = 80-89

C = 70-79

D = 60-69 (failing)

F = 59 (failing)

Content for exams are based on subject matter from the text, homework assignments, and lecture.

Grades are weighted as follows:

Exams (17) ------60% (Must show mastery with a

Scoreof 90%)

Homework/assignments----20%

Comprehensive Exam------20% (Must show mastery with a

Score of 90%)

All students must complete assignments as directed by the instructor with Pre and Post testing over each section. Due to the severity of accurate dosage calculation and administration, the student must master a score 90% or higher on all chapter exams as well as the final exam. If a student does not master the exam on the first attempt, the student has one week to master the exam and move on. Inability to master can cause the student not to succeed as the course progresses.

Due Dates: NO late work will be accepted – a grade of zero “0” will be given if work is not turned in on time. All written work must be submitted, even if it is late and a grade of zero is given, to complete requirements for each section. If the student does not submit assigned written work, or cannot master the exams with a 90% or higher, then the student will not have met the course requirements and will not be allowed to progress throughout the course.

Classroom Policy:

I.Attendance

A.Attendance records are kept.

1.Students who are tardy to class or leave early shall report to the class instructor before/after the class to complete an absentee slip.

2.Students are expected to be diligent in the pursuit of their studies and regular in their class attendance. Students have the responsibility of making arrangements with the instructor regarding all missed work or exams. Excessive absences with work not made up,will result in failure of the course.

B.Absences

There is no make-up time to recover missed lecture. It is the students’ responsibility to turn work in the day they return to class and to obtain any additional assignments from fellow students or by contacting the instructor prior to the next class day.

Test Make-Up Policy: If a student arrives to take an exam 10 minutes after the exam begins or is absent for an exam, the student must reschedule another time to take the exam with the Instructor. The test must be rescheduled prior to the next class day. Students who present late or tardy on test day will be allowed to test the same day, but not during the testing time, due to disruption of the other students. The student must contact the Instructor for a time to take the exam.

C. Tardiness

Classes begin at a scheduled time per the program calendar in the syllabus. Students are to be seated and prepared to begin class on time. Failure to do so may result in missing lecture content and reviews. Covered material will not be repeated due to tardiness, but will be for clarification.

II.Classroom Behavior

Professional behavior is expected in the classroom. During lecture time, the only discussion that should take place should be related to the lecture content and should be kept to a minimum. Talking in the classroom keeps other students from listening to the instructor, causing them to miss valuable lecture content.
Students should leave the classroom for emergencies only. Students must return from breaks promptly.
Students need to turn their cell phones off during lecture time. Cell phones are not only distracting, but interrupt the learning of others. In the case of an emergency and you have to be contacted, the front desk secretary will make every effort to get a message to you.
No children may be brought to the classroom during scheduled lecture or testing time, as this can be very distracting to others.
Students are encouraged to participate in classroom discussion with the instructor, especially for clarification purposes. Discussion should remain professional; arguing and nonprofessional behavior will not be tolerated.
Students must adhere to a decent dress in the classroom.
Students must come prepared with assignments, drug book, black ink pen(s), notepad, textbook, pencil and calculator. Students are encouraged to prepare these items the night before to avoid forgetting them.

Math for Nurses

Course Syllabus

Unit Title:Part I: Review of Mathematics

Chapter 1 Fractions

Objectives:Upon completion of this chapter, the student will master the following concepts:

1.Change an improper fraction to a mixed number and its reverse

2.Change a fraction to an equivalent fraction with the lowest common denominator

3.Change a mixed number to an equivalent fraction with the lowest common denominator

4.Add and Subtract fractions having the same denominator, having unlike denominators, or involving whole numbers and unlike denominators

5.Multiply and divide fractions and mixed numbers

6.Reduce a complex fraction and reducing a complex fraction involving mixed numbers

Content Outline:

Review of Mathematics Pretest
Fractions Pretest
Step by step working of fractions with examples
Worksheets to be done by the student, additional practice on CD-ROM
Review of Worksheets
Posttest Exam

Learning Resources: Chapters:

1.Course syllabus

2.Required Text1, pp.3-28

Chapter 2 Decimals

Objectives: Upon completion of this unit, the student will master the following concepts:

1.Reading and writing decimal numbers

2.Determining the value of decimal fractions

3.Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing decimals

4.Rounding decimal fractions to an indicated place value

5.Multiplying and dividing decimals by 10 or a power of 10

6.Multiplying and dividing decimals by 0.1 or a multiple of 0.1

7.Converting a decimal fraction to a proper fraction

8.Converting a proper fraction to a decimal fraction

Content Outline:

Decimal Pretest
Step by step working of decimals with examples
Worksheets to be done by the student, additional practice on CD-ROM
Review of Worksheets
Posttest Exam

Learning Resources:Chapters:

Course Syllabus
Required Text2, pp. 29-50

Chapter 3 Percents

Objectives: Upon completion of this unit, the student will master the following concepts:

1.Changing a fraction or decimal to a percent

2.Changing a percent to a fraction or decimal

3.Changing a percent containing a fraction to a decimal

4.Finding what percent one number is of another

5.Finding a given percent of a number

Content Outline:

Percents Pretest
Step by step working of percents with examples
Worksheets to be done by the student, additional practice on CD-ROM
Review of Worksheets
Posttest Exam

Learning Resources:Chapters:

Course Syllabus
Required Text3, pp. 51-68

Chapter 4 Ratios

Objectives: Upon completion of this unit, the student will master the following concepts:

1. Changing a proper fraction, decimal fraction, and percent to a ratio reduced to lowest terms

2. Changing a ration to a proper fraction, a decimal fraction, and a percent

Content Outline:

Ratios Pretest
Step by step working of ratios with examples
Worksheets to be done by the student, additional practice on CD-ROM
Review of Worksheets
Posttest Exam

Learning Resources:Chapters:

Course Syllabus
Required Text4, pp. 69-81

Chapter 5 Proportions

Objectives: Upon completion of this unit, the student will master the following concepts:

Solving simple proportion problems
Solving proportions problems involving fraction, decimals, and percents

Content Outline:

Proportions Pretest
Step by step working of proportions with examples
Worksheets to be done by the student, additional practice on CD-ROM
Review of Worksheets
Posttest Exam
Post Test Review of Mathematics

Learning Resources:Chapters:

Course Syllabus
Required Text5, pp. 83-101

Unit Title:Part II: Units of Measures for the Calculation of Drug Dosages

Chapter 6 Metric and Household Measurements

Objectives: Upon completion of this unit, the student will master the following concepts:

Recalling the metric measures of weight, volume, and length
Computing equivalents within the metric system by using a proportion
Recalling approximate equivalents between metric and household measures
Computing equivalents between the metric and household systems of measure by using a proportion

Content Outline:

Metric and Household Measurements Pretest
Step by step working of Metric and Household Measurements with examples
Worksheets to be done by the student, additional practice on CD-ROM
Review of Worksheets
Posttest Exam

Learning Resources:Chapters:

Course Syllabus
Required Text6, pp. 105-120

Chapter 7Apothecary and Household Measurements

Chapter 8 Equivalents between Apothecary and Metric Measurements

Objectives: Upon completion of this unit, the student will master the following concepts:

Adding and Subtracting Roman Numerals
Converting Roman numerals to Arabic numerals
Converting Arabic numerals to Roman numerals
Recalling the apothecary measures of weights and liquids
Computing equivalents within the apothecary system by using a proportion
Recalling approximate equivalents between apothecary and household measures
Computing equivalents between the apothecary and household measurement systems by the use of a proportion

8. Recalling equivalent apothecary and metric measures

9. Computing equivalents between the apothecary and metric systems by using a proportion

10. Converting from the Fahrenheit scale to the Celsius scale

11.Converting from the Celsius scale to the Fahrenheit scale

Content Outline:

Apothecary and Household Measurements Pretest
Step by step working of Apothecary and Household Measurements with examples
Worksheets to be done by the student, additional practice on CD-ROM
Review of Worksheets
Equivalents between Apothecary and Metric Measurements Pretest
Step by step working of Apothecary and Metric Measurements with examples
Worksheets to be done by the student, additional practice on CD-ROM
Review of Worksheets
Posttest Exam chapter 7 and 8

Learning Resources:Chapters:

Course Syllabus
Required Text7, pp. 121-131

8, pp. 133-146

Unit III: Calculation of Drug Dosages

Chapter 9 Interpretation of the Physician’s Orders

Chapter 10 How to Read Drug Labels

Chapter 11 Dimensional Analysis and the Calculation of Drug Dosages

Objectives: Upon completion of this unit, the student will master the following concepts:

1.Be able to successfully complete a patient’s medication administration record based on the physician’s order

2.Trade name of the medication

3.Generic name of the medication

4.Strength of the medication dosage

6. Form in which the medication is provided

7.Route of administration

8.Total amount or volume of the medication provided in the container

10Using the dimensional analysis format to solve oral dosage problems

11.Using the dimensional analysis format to solve parenteral dosage problems

12.Using the dimensional analysis format to solve problems of intravenous flow rate in drops per minute

13.Using the dimensional analysis format to solve problems involving administration of medications in units per hour

Content Outline:

Written orders
Verbal orders
Scheduling the Administration of Medications
Introduction to Drug Dosages
Six Rights of Medication Administration
Parts of a Drug Label
Practice examples for reading drug labels
Additional practice problems on CD-ROM
Post Test chapter 9 and10
Examples of dimensional analysis
Worksheets to be completed by the student chapter 11

Learning Resources:Chapters:

1.Course Syllabus

2. Required Text9, pp. 149-155

10, pp. 157-164

11, pp. 165-174

Chapter 12 Oral Dosages

Objectives: Upon completion of this unit, the student will master the following concepts:

1.Converting all measures within the problem to equivalent measures in one system of measurement

2.Using a proportion to solve problems of oral dosage involving tablets, capsules, or liquid medications

3. Using a proportion to solve problems of oral dosages of medications measured in milliequivalents

4.Using a stated formula as an alternative method of solving oral-drug dosage problems

Content Outline:

Step by step with Examples
Additional practice on CD-ROM
Worksheet for Oral Dosages with label interpretation
Post Test for Oral Dosages

Learning Resources:Chapters:

1. Course Syllabus

2. Required Text12, pp. 175-228

Chapter 13 Parenteral Dosages

Objectives: Upon completion of this unit, the student will master the following concepts:

1.Converting the measure within the problem to equivalent measures in one system of measurement

2.Using a proportion to solve problems of parenteral dosages when medication is in liquid or reconstituted powder form

3.Using a proportion to solve problems of parenteral dosages of medications measured in milliequivalents

4.Using the stated formula as an alternative method of solving parenteral drug dosage problems

Content Outline:

Step by step with Examples
Practice problems on CD-ROM
Worksheets on Parenteral Dosages to be completed by the student
Post Test

Learning Resources:Chapters:

1. Course Syllabus

2. Required Text 13, pp. 229-284

Chapter 14 Dosages Measured in Units

Objectives: Upon completion of this unit, the student will master the following concepts:

1.Using a proportion to solve problems involving drugs measured in unit dosages

2.Calculating drug dosage problems that first require reconstitution of a powdered drug into a liquid form

3.Drawing a line through an illustration of an insulin syringe to indicate the dosage of units desired

Content Outline:

Step by step with Examples and label interpretation
Mixing and Drawing up Insulin
Practice Problems on CD-ROM
Worksheet on Dosages Measured in Units
Post Test

Learning Resources:Chapters:

1. Course Syllabus

2. Required Text 14, pp. 285-311

Chapter 15 Intravenous Flow Rates

Objectives: Upon completion of this unit, the student will master the following concepts:

1.Calculating milliliters per hour (mL/h) when given the total volume and time over which an IV solution or intravenous piggyback is to be infused

2.Calculating drops per minute (gtt/min) when given the total volume and time over which an IV solution or intravenous piggyback is to be infused

Content Outline:

Step by step with Examples and label interpretation
Piggy backs by Gravity feed
Infusion of IV medications using a pump
Patient-Controlled Analgesia
Iv or Heparin (Saline) Locks
Patient-Controlled Analgesia
Additional practice with the CD-ROM
Intravenous Flow Rates Worksheet
Post Test

Learning Resources:Chapters:

1. Course Syllabus

2. Required Text15, pp. 313-339

Chapter 16 Critical Care IV Flow Rates

Objectives: Upon completion of this unit, the student will master the following concepts:

1.Calculating the IV flow rate of medications in units per hour (U/h) or international units per hour (IU/h)

2.Calculating the IV flow rate of medication in micrograms per kilogram per minute (mcg/kg/min)

3.Calculating the IV flow rate of medications in micrograms per minute (mcg/min)

4.Calculating the IV flow rate of medications in milligrams per minute (mg/min)

Content Outline:

Step by step with Examples and label interpretation
Practice problems on CD-ROM
Critical Care IV flow Rates worksheet
Post Test

Learning Resources:Chapters:

1. Course Syllabus

2. Required Text16, pp. 341-359

Chapter 17 Pediatric Dosages

Objectives: Upon completion of this unit, the student will master the following concepts:

1.Converting the weight of a child from pounds to kilograms

2.Using a formula based on body weight to determine the correct dosage of medication to be administered to a child

3.Calculating body surface are (BSA) using the West nomogram

4.Estimating body surface area using a formula

5. Calculating pediatric dosages using a formula based on body surface area expressed as square meters (m2)

6.Calculating the rate of infusion in both gtt/min and mL/h for pediatric dosages

7.Calculating the appropriate concentration of IV medications for pediatric patients

Content Outline:

Step by step with Examples and label interpretation
Practice problems on CD-ROM
Pediatric Dosages Worksheet
Post Test

Learning Resources:Chapters:

1. Course Syllabus

2. Required Text 17, pp.361-388

Unit Title: Part IV: Drug Administration Considerations

Chapter 18 Automated Medication Dispensing Systems

Chapter 19 Special Considerations for the Administration of Medications to the Elderly

Chapter 20 Home Care Considerations in the Administration of Medications

Objectives: Upon completion of this unit, the student will master the following concepts:

1.Recognize an automated medication dispensing system

2.Identify the advantages of using an automated medication dispensing system

3.Understand the implications of the physiological changes of aging on medication administration to the elderly