Standard

Rev. 02/15/05

PHR 100 - Pharmaceutical Calculations

Course Description

 This course develops knowledge and skills in pharmaceutical calculations procedures.  Topics include:  systems of measurement, medication dispensing calculations, pharmacy mathematical procedures, and calculation tools and techniques.

 

Competency Areas

Hours

Systems of Measurement

Class

4

Medication Dispensing Calculations

D. Lab

2

Pharmacy Mathematical Procedures

P. Lab/O.B.I.

0

Calculation Tools and Techniques

Credit

5

 

 

 

Prerequisite:

MAT 101 (diploma), or MAT 191 (degree)

Corequisite:

 

 

Course Guide

 

Competency

After completing this section, the student will:

Hours

Class

D.Lab

P.Lab/

O.B.I.

SYSTEMS OF MEASUREMENT

10

5

0

Metric system

Recognize and interpret metric measurements.

 

 

 

Apothecary systems

Recognize and interpret the Apothecary measurements.

 

 

 

Household

Recognize and interpret household Measurements.

 

 

 

Units

Convert a doctor’s order containing units.

 

 

 

MEDICATION DISPENSING CALCULATIONS

10

5

0

Oral

Demonstrate correct administration of oral medications.

 

 

 

Parenteral

Demonstrate correct administrations of parenteral medications.

 

 

 

IV drip rate       

Regulate IV fluid rate.

 

 

 

Other routes

Demonstrate correct administration of other routes such as topical and inhalation.

 

 

 

Safety

Use the “6 Rights” to administer all medications:

1.  Right patients

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 finger sticks.

 

 

 

 

Follow institution protocol for error reporting.

 

 

 

PHARMACY MATHEMATICAL PROCEDURES

10

5

0

Dosage computation

Compute correct dosages from doctor orders.

 

 

 

Children’s dosage

State the correct dosages using Young’s, Fried’s, and/or Clark’s Rule.

 

 

 

I.V. drip rate

Calculate I.V. fluid rate.

 

 

 

Solutions

Dilute fluids to proper strength using pure drug or stronger solution to weaker solution.

 

 

 

CALCULATION TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES

10

5

0

Reference sources

Demonstrate the ability to look up drugs.

 

 

 

Origin

Identify drug origins.

 

 

 

Classification

Identify drug calculation.

 

 

 

Legal aspects

Describe the laws governing the use and misuse of drugs.

 

 

 

Abbreviations

Define the terms associated with drug administration.

 

 

 

Prescriptions

Interpret drug orders.

 

 

 

 

Suggested Resources

Books

Ballington, D.&Laughlin, M.(2003)".Pharmacy Calculations for Technicians"Minnesota:EMCParadigm (ISBN: 0-7638-1532-2)

Curren,A.(2005). "Math for Meds Dosages & Solutions".New York:Thomson,Delmar. (ISNBN:1-4018-3122-2)

Ogden,S.(2003)."Calculation of Drug Dosages".Missouri: Mosby. (ISBN:0-323-01888-2)

Pickar,G. (2004). "Dosage Calculations".New York:Thomson,Delmar.(ISBN:0-7668-6286-0)

Powers,M. & Wakelin,J.(2005)."Pharmacy Calculations".Colorado:Morton.(ISBN:0-89582-669-0)