RANGER COLLEGE
SYLLABUS
VOCATIONAL NURSING DEPARTMENT
Course Number and Title: VNSG 1327 Essentials of Medication Administration
Credit Hours: 3 Lecture Hours/Wk: 3 Lab: 0
Instructor: Ronda Poindexter, RN Office Location: Early, Early, Comanche
I.
Office Hours: Monday thru Friday
0830 to 1600
CATALOG DESCRIPTION
Office Phone: 325-641-5726, 254-647-5184
325-356-2170
Email Address: rpoindexter@rangercollege.edu
General principles of medication administration including determination of dosage, preparation, safe administration, and documentation of multiple forms of drugs.
Instruction includes various systems of measurements.
II. TEXTBOOK(S)
Calculate with Confidence, Morris, 5 th
Ed, Elsevier
Introductory Clinical Pharmacology, 9 th
Ed, Roach/Ford, Lippincott
III. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
Lecture, discussion, audio-visual aids, computer simulations, lab, and handouts.
IV. SCANS COMPETENCIES
This course covers Scans Competencies #1 C1, C3, C4, C5, C9, C11, C12, C13, C14,
C16, C18, C19, C20, F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, F10, F11, F12, F13, F14, F15,
F16, F17.
V. COURSE/CLASSROOM POLICIES
To teach course content as outlined in the catalog description and to enable the student to accomplish the following objectives.
VI. STUDENT OBJECTIVES TO REACH DEC REQUIREMENTS
The student will:
1. Demonstrate system conversion and accurate dosage calculation.
2. Discuss the principles of safe medication administration.
3. Identify the elements of accurate documentation of medication administration.
4. Identify properties, effects, and basic principles underlying the use and administration
of pharmacotherapeutic agents.
5. Identify legal and ethical parameters of vocational nursing practice and health care as
applied to dosage calculation and administration of medications.
6. Identify basic principles of safety as they apply to dosage calculation and medication
administration.
7. Identify developmental stages and common situational variables affecting learning,
such as stress, pain, and fear, and the basic principles of the teaching/learning process.

VII. COURSE/CLASSROOM POLICIES
See VN Handbook.
ADA Statement: Ranger College provides a variety of services for students with learning and/or physical disabilities. The student is responsible for making the initial contact with the Ranger College Counselor. It is advisable to make this contact before or immediately after the semester begins.
VIII. Admissions, employment, and program policies of Ranger College are nondiscriminatory in regard to race, creed, color, sex, age, disability, and national origin.
IX. RECEIPT OF SYLLABUS
Separate page; signed and returned to instructor.
X. ASSESSMENT
GRADING
100-92 = A
91-86 = B
85-80 = C
Below 80 = F
All students must achieve an average grade of 80% in each subject taught to remain in the program.
XI. EVALUATION
Seven (7) major exams are scheduled consisting of basic math skills, dosage calculation, abbreviation and conversion and medication administration. Each major exam is worth
100 points and will be graded accordingly. Tests will include information from the text, lecture, audiovisual materials, handouts, and board work. Material previously covered may be included in any test. Due to the nature of this course, testing usually involves problem solving and showing your work. Later in the semester, some multiple choice, true/false and matching formats will be included. If a major exam is not taken as scheduled, an alternate exam may be given but 10 points are automatically deducted from make-up tests. It is your responsibility to schedule the make-up test with your instructor during the next scheduled class in Medication Administration. Students are not allowed to use calculators in the classroom until basic math skills are demonstrated. Pop tests and homework assignments may be given throughout the semester. These grades will count as daily grades and will be averaged into one (1) major grade. There are no make-ups for pop tests or homework. A comprehensive final exam will be given at the end of the semester that counts as twenty-five (25%) of the final average. Final exams must be taken at the scheduled time with no make-ups. A mandatory dosage calculation test will be given per rules and regulations of the Board of Nurse Examiners. A score of 100% is required in order to register for the next semester. The test consists of basic math and

dosage calculations and will be given as scheduled on your Weekly Assignment Sheet.
Students will be allowed a total of three (3) attempts to pass the test. You will have an exam covering common abbreviations and table of equivalents during September.
XII. Academic dishonesty according to the Ranger College Handbook is defined as copying from another student’s test paper or academic work, or collaboration with another person in preparing written work for credit. Students who commit any of these violations on first offense will be given a “0” on the test or assignment. Repeated offenses will go before the Dean of Students and most likely will lead to dismissal from the nursing program.
XIII. ABSENCES
See VN Handbook for complete information regarding absences.