NRS 108 - Drug Calculations

1 Credits, 1 Contact Hours
1 lecture period 0 lab periods
Computation of medication dosage. Includes basic mathematics review, systems of measurement and conversion within those systems, interpretation of drug labels, methods of medication calculation, calculations related to route of administration, and calculations related to specialty clinical areas.

Corequisite(s): HRP 100, NRS 104, NRS 104LC, NRS 104LS, NRS 155
Information: Acceptance into the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing: PN Exit Option through the selective admissions process including the required preparatory and prerequisites to apply to the program. Students must be admitted to the PCC Nursing program and obtain consent of the Nursing Department before enrolling in this course. Students must receive a grade of A on this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Calculate conversions between measurement systems commonly used in healthcare settings.
Interpret prescriber’s order, drug labels, and health care abbreviations
Calculate drug dosage amounts using basic formula, ratio and proportion, and fractional equational dimensional analysis.
Calculate drug dosage amounts relevant to specialty clinical areas.

Outline:

Basic Mathematics Review Relevant to Medication Administration
Systems of Measurement and Measurement Conversions

Metric system
Apothecary system
Household system
1. Interpretation of Medication Labels and Guidelines for Safe Administration of Medication
2. Methods of Drug Calculation

Basic formula
Ratio and proportion
Fractional equation
1. Preparation of a Solution of a Desired Concentration
2. Dimensional Analysis
3. Concentrations, Infusion Rates, and Time Parameters for Intravenous Solution Administration, Including Direct Intravenous Injection Route
4. Drug Volumes and Infusion Rates Based on Drug Concentration and Volume Per Unit Time
5. Drug Volumes and Infusion Rates Based on Drug Dosage Per Kilogram of Body Weight Per Unit Time

Effective Term:
Spring 2019