Standard

 

AHS 102 - Drug Calculation and Administration

Course Description

Uses basic mathematical concepts and includes basic drug administration. Emphasizes critical thinking skills. Topics include: systems of measurement, calculating drug problems, resource materials usage, basic pharmacology, administering medications in a simulated clinical environment, principles of IV therapy techniques, and client education.

 

Competency Areas

Hours

 

Systems of Measurement

Class

2

Calculating Drug Problems

D. Lab

2

Resource Materials Usage

P. Lab/O.B.I.

0

Basic Pharmacology

Credit

3

Client Education

 

 

Administering Medications in a Simulated Clinical Environment

 

 

Principles of IV Therapy Techniques

 

 

 

 

 

Prerequisite:  MAT 101

Corequisite:

 

 

Course Guide

 

Competency

After completing this section, the student will:

Hours

Class

D.Lab

P.Lab/

O.B.I.

SYSTEMS OF MEASUREMENT  

2

0

0

Metric system

Interpret metric measurements.

 

 

 

 

Discuss relationship between milligrams and grains, and grams and grains.

 

 

 

 

Discuss relationship between milliliters and teaspoon, tablespoon, and ounce.

 

 

 

Conversions

Convert milligrams to grains; grams to grains; teaspoon/tablespoon/ounce to milliliters.

 

 

 

 

Interpret this method of measurement.

 

 

 

Units

Discuss the common drugs utilizing units.

 

 

 

CALCULATING DRUG PROBLEMS

4

10

0

Dosage computation

Compute correct dosages from doctor's order.

 

 

 

Children's dosage

Compute correct dosages using body weight; body surface area

 

 

 

I.V.

Calculate I.V. fluid rate.

 

 

 

 

Calculate total infusion amounts.

 

 

 

 

Calculate I.V. fluid intake for 24 hours.

 

 

 

RESOURCE MATERIALS USAGE

2

0

0

Reference sources

Discuss reference sources.

Find information on assigned drugs.

 

 

 

Abbreviations

Define the abbreviations associated with drug administration.

 

 

 

Prescriptions

Identify the information in a prescription.

 

 

 

 

Interpret drug orders.

 

 

 

BASIC PHARMACOLOGY

4

0

0

Drug origins and names

Discuss drug origins and names.

 

 

 

Drug action and interaction

Discuss principles of drug action and interaction.

 

 

 

Classification

Discuss the major therapeutic classifications of drugs including main action, use, major adverse reactions, interactions, and nursing implications

 

 

 

CLIENT EDUCATION

2

0

0

Client education related to medication administration

Discuss client education as it relates to various drug classifications and routes of medication administration.

 

 

 

ADMINISTERING MEDICATIONS IN A SIMULATED CLINICAL ENVIRONMENT

5

8

0

Legal aspects

Discuss the laws governing the use and misuse of drugs.

 

 

 

Oral

Demonstrate correct administration of oral medications.

 

 

 

Parenteral

Demonstrate correct administration of parenteral medications.

 

 

 

Percutaneous

Demonstrate correct administration of percutaneous medications.

 

 

 

Safety

Use the "6 Rights" to administer all medications:

  1. Right patient
  2. Right drug
  3. Right dosage
  4. Right time
  5. Right route
  6. Right documentation

 

 

 

 

Discuss the danger of recapping used syringes.

 

 

 

 

Follow proper protocol for fingersticks.

 

 

 

 

Follow institution protocol for error reporting.

 

 

 

PRINCIPLES OF INTRAVENOUS THERAPY TECHNIQUES

1

2

0

Principles of intravenous therapy

Discuss basic principles of intravenous therapy.

 

 

 

Administration of intravenous fluids and medications

Regulate I.V. fluid rate.

 

 

 

 

Set up an I.V. pump including programming.

 

 

 

 

Demonstrate correct protocol for administration of I.V. medications.

 

 

 

 

Demonstrate proper technique for flushing a heparin lock.

 

 

 

 

Suggested Resources

 

Books

 

Asperheim, M. K. (1987). Pharmacology: An introductory text (6th ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders.

Batastini, Davidson. Pharmacological calculations for nurses. Delmar.

Bayt, P. T. (1989). Administering medications. Mission Hills, CA: Glencoe.

Clayton, Stock. Basic pharmacology for nurses. Mosby. And student learning guide

Curren & Mundy. Math for meds, W. I. Publications.

Deglin & Vallerand. Davis drug guide for nurses, Davis.

Dison, N. (1988). Simplified drugs and solutions for nurses: Including mathematics (9th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby.

Edmunds. Introduction to clinical pharmacology. Mosby.

Gray. Calculate with confidence. Mosby.

Hitner, H., & Nagle, B. T. (1987). Basic pharmacology for health occupations. Mission Hills, CA: Glencoe.

Mathewson, M. K. (1986). Pharmacotherapeutics: A nursing process approach. Philadelphia: F. A. Davis.

Pickar. Dosage calculations: ratio-proportion approach with CD-ROM. International Thompson Publishing.

Radcliff & Ogden. Calculation of drug dosages. Mosby

Rice. Medications & mathematics for the nurse. Delmar.

Scherer, J. C. (1985). Lippincott's Nurse's Drug Manual. Philadelphia: Lippincott.

Scherer, & Roach.  Introductory Clinical Pharmacology. Lippincott. And Study Guide

Skelley, E. F. (1982). Medications and mathematics for the nurse. Albany, NY: Delmar.

Woodrow. Essentials of pharmacology for health occupations. Delmar.

Worley, E. (1988). Pharmacology and medications. Philadelphia: F. A. Davis.