Los Angeles Pierce College
Nursing 442 Class Schedule and Topics
Fall 2015
Week
Date
Summer
Session
1
7/22/15
0900
8/31/15
(Monday)
and
9/2/15
(Wednesday)
2
9/9/15
(Wednesday)
and
9/10/15
Content and Key Concepts
A. Orientation to the Nursing Program at Los Angeles Pierce
College
B. Introduction to Course
C. Measurements and Conversions
Key Points:
1. Principles of determining relative value in whole
numbers and decimal fractions.
2. Multiplication of decimal fractions and placement of the
decimal point,
3. Use of zeros for correct placement of a decimal point.
4. Methods of simplifying fractions for division.
5. Expressing a value in fewer positions if it is presented in
hundredths of thousandths (“rounding”).
6. Principles of solving equations with multiple fractions.
7. Methods of finding common denominators.
8. Principles of eliminating zeros from numerators and
denominators without changing equation value.
9. Basic units of metric measure and their abbreviations.
10. Application of prefixes to basic metric units for larger
and smaller units.
11. Conversion of units within the metric system by decimal
point movement.
12. Proper transcription of fractional dosages.
13. Premise of international unit measurement.
14. Meaning of percentage strength of solutions and
ointments.
15. Principles of ratio strengths of a solution.
16. Abbreviations for household measures.
17. Equivalencies of metric and household measures.
D. Measuring Insulin Dosages; Ratio and Proportion; Formula
Method of Calculation
Key Points:
1. Various capacities of insulin syringes and associated
Reading
Activities Due
Curren Chapters 1-5
Pierce College
Nursing Skills Lab
Due 8/31/15:
Refer to
Syllabus
Course
Objectives
4
Syllabus
Acknowledgment
form
In 402 9/3/15:
Homework 1
Class:
Math Pretest
Curren Chapters 11, 12, 14
Due 9/11/15 in
402:
Homework 2
4
18
(Thursday)
applications.
Denotation of “-lin” and “-log” of specific insulin
preparations.
3. Principles of mixing types of insulin.
4. Methods of and sites for appropriate insulin injection.
5. Application of the use ratio and ration and proportion in
medication dosage and administration.
6. Identification of known and unknown ratios for
medication calculation.
7. Principles of placing (“setting up”) ratios in a proportion
for solving.
8. Identification of appropriate application of the formula
method for solving medication administration problems.
9. Requirements for an appropriately stated formula for
solving a medication problem.
10. Assessment of solutions obtained in formula method
problems.
E. IV Therapy
11. Principles of the IV pump.
12. Safety measures in hanging an IVPB.
F. Nursing Process and the Nursing Care Plan
1. Purpose of the Nursing Process.
2. Relationship between the Nursing Process and the
scientific method.
3. Individual components of the Nursing Process.
4. Subjective vs objective data.
5. Nursing diagnosis vs medical diagnosis.
6. Establishing priorities in diagnosis
7. Realistic and measurable outcomes.
8. Importance of involving the patient in the Nursing
Process.
9. Specificity in determining Nursing implementation.
10. Purpose of the evaluation phase.
G. Oral and Parenteral Medication Labels; Principles of Safe
Medication Administration; Syringe Use; Parenteral
Dosage Calculation; Drug Reconstitution
Key Points:
1. Generic vs trade name of drugs.
2. Identification of key information on medication labels.
3. Principles of measuring solution dosages safely.
4. Common components of the medication administration
2.
3
9/14/15
(Monday)
and
9/16/15
(Wednesday)
Curren Chapters 6-10
9/14/15: Attend
N 400 class
1, 3, 4
Due 9/16/15 in
402:
Homework 3
19
record.
The six “rights” of medication administration.
Conversion of standard time to military time and vice
versa.
7. Sources of common medication errors.
8. Appropriate use and identification of inappropriate use
of abbreviations in medication administration.
9. Appropriate action when a medication error is
identified.
10. Factors contributing to medication errors.
11. Calibration of 3ml, 5ml, 10ml, and TB syringes and
syringes larger than 10ml.
12. Principles of reading calibrations on all syringes.
13. Common routes of parenteral medication
administration.
14. Average volumes of IM and subcutaneous dosages.
15. Steps in IV medication preparation
16. Units of measure of parenteral medication dosages.
17. Principles of medication reconstitution.
18. Common forms of diluent.
19. Storage of a reconstituted solution.
20. Principles of reading reconstitution directions.
21. How to label a reconstituted medication.
H. Library Assignment
I. IV Therapy; IV Flow Rate Calculation; IV Infusion and
Completion Times
Key Points:
1. Parts of the IV infusion system.
2. Purpose and use of the drip chamber.
3. Purpose and position of the primary and secondary
lines.
4. Peripheral vs central infusion lines.
5. Function of volume-controlled burettes.
6. Purpose of indwelling ports or locks.
7. Basic components of volumetric pumps and syringe
pumps.
8. Principles of patient-controlled analgesia,
9. Common IV fluids and their accepted abbreviations.
10. Common components of parenteral nutrition.
11. Calibration of IV administration sets.
12. Calculation of gtt/min flow rate from ml/hr.
5.
6.
4
9/21/15
(Monday)
and
9/23/15
(Wednesday)
Curren Chapters 17-19
9/21/15: Meet
with Paula Piaggi
at the Reference
Desk in the Pierce
College Library at
0900
2, 5
Due 9/23/15:
Homework 4 & 5
Make
appointment
with Mr. Holland
for IV starting
and placement
skills.
20
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
5
6
7
J.
10/5/15
10/12/15
Formula method of flow rate calculation.
Division factor method of flow rate calculation.
Method of regulating manual flow rate.
Principles of correcting off-schedule rates.
Calculation of infusion time.
Identification of completion time.
Concepts of labeling solution bags with infusion and
completion times.
No Class
K. Care Plan Review
Key Points:
1. Review of the “Care Plan Primer.”
2. Review of the Nursing Process as it applies to
developing a plan of care.
L. Scope of Practice; Components of a Profession
Key Points:
3. Components of “the practice of (Registered) Nursing”
according to the California Nurse Practice Act.
4. Nursing functions that may not be delegated by the RN.
5. Characteristics of a profession.
6. The “professionalism” of Registered Nursing.
Nursing Care Plan Primer:
Prof. Lemus’ website, under
N407, Gerontological Nursing
Scope of Regulation—
Excerpt from Business and
Professions Code Division
2, Chapter 6. Article 2
Practice Nursing
Care Plan in class
Select your case
study
Individual
presentations
regarding the RN
as a professional
1, 2
http://www.rn.ca.gov/pdfs/r
egulations/npr-i-15.pdf
Advocating for the Nursing
Profession:
http://www.medscape.com/
viewarticle/766817_2
8
10/19/15
10/26/15
M. Determining Your Strategy for Success
Key Points:
1. Learning styles.
2. Self-analysis of scores: areas of strengths and
weakness.
3. Study techniques.
4. Time management.
N. Skills Challenge—IV Starting and placement
9
10
All Kaplan
Integrated Tests
and Review
Exams are due!
Meet in Seminar Room
11/2/15
O. Math Challenge
Meet in Seminar Room
5
Success Strategy
Plan Due
Nursing Care Plan
Due
Math Exam
21