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Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology
Nursing & Health Sciences
Associate Degree Nursing Program
Fall 2015
NURS 1322 NURSING DOSAGE CALCULATION
Introduces the nursing major to the mathematical skills essential for calculating medication
dosages. Content includes conversion between metric, apothecaries and household systems of
measurement; calculation of oral and parenteral dosages; intravenous flow rate calculations;
pediatric calculations; and intensive care calculations. Co-requisite: NURS 1128 required, must
pass both courses.
Type of course: Theory
Credit Hours: 2; Total hours of theory per semester: 30
Class length - Full Semester
Class days and times: online-blended, Thursday 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Nursing Program
Co-requisite Courses: NURS 1128 Foundations of Nursing Practice
Instructor Name: Kathryn Bible, MS, RN
Instructor Phone: (918) 293-5334
Office: Nursing & Health Sciences Building, Room #110
Instructor email: kathryn.bible@okstate.edu
Contact: My preferred method of contact is email. Please allow 24-48 hours to return your
correspondence during the normal work week.
Instructor's Office Hours:
Tuesday 0900-1100 & 1300-1500
Wednesday 1400-1600
Thursday1300-1400
Division Name: Nursing & Health Sciences
Division’s Main Phone: 918-293-5337
Division Office Hours: 8:30 am-4:30 pm Monday-Friday
REQUIRED TEXT, REFERENCES, AND MATERIALS
Texts: Brown Seltzer, M. & Mulholland, J. (2012). Drug calculations: Ratio and proportion
problems for clinical practice (9th ed.). St. Louis: Elsevier ISBN: 9780323184328
References: Text Only
Materials: iPad, pencil/paper, computer
Materials/Tools: calculator
Estimated Cost for Text: $ 82.45
Estimated Cost for Materials/Tools: $ 25.00
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Upon completion of the course, students should:
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Patient-centered care—
graduate recognizes the
patient as the source of
control and full partner in
providing compassionate and
coordinated care based on
respect for the patients’
preferences, values and needs.
Course Objectives
Demonstrate basic knowledge
surrounding medication
administration including, but
not limited to, six “rights”,
common routes, nurses’ role,
ability to read and interpret
medication orders, MAR
documentation, and medication
labels.
Demonstrates the ability to
calculate dosages proficiently.
Assessment of
Objectives
On-line modules, tests,
and exam.
2. Teamwork and
On-line modules, tests,
collaboration—graduate
and exam.
functions effectively within
nursing and inter-professional
teams, fostering open
communication, mutual
respect and shared decisionmaking to achieve quality
patient care.
3. Evidence based practice—
Accurately calculate dosages
On-line modules, tests,
graduate integrates best
using ratio-proportion,
and exam.
current evidence
dimensional analysis, and
with clinical expertise and
formula methods.
patient/family preferences and
values for delivery of optimal
health care.
4. Quality improvement—
Solves dosage calculation
On-line modules, tests,
graduate uses data to identify
problems using a critical
and exam.
errors and hazards in care and
thinking approach.
monitor the outcomes of care
processes and uses
improvement methods to
design and test changes to
continuously
5. Informatics – graduate uses
Calculate correct doses of oral
On-line modules, tests,
information and technology to
and parenteral medications as
and exam.
communicate, manage
well as heparin, insulin, and
knowledge, mitigate error and
reconstituted medications.
support decision making.
Aspects of the course objective assessments may be used in the university’s assessment of
student learning. If applicable, an asterisk (*) above indicates this course is used in the
university assessment program.
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COURSE ACTIVITIES
In this course students will:
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Participate in self-guided exercises
View all video lectures
Complete practice problems
Complete module assignments
Complete a proctored midterm and final Exam
EVALUATION - GRADES WILL BE BASED ON THE QUALITY AND COMPLETION
OF THESE TASKS:
Homework -10 assignments @ 5% each 50%
Exams - 2 exams @ 25% each
50%
Total
100%
OSUIT
Grading Scale
A = 92%-100%
B = 84%-91%
C = 75%-83%
D = 66%-74%
F = 65% & below
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
Assignment 1
Assignment 2
Assignment 3
Assignment 4
Assignment 5
Assignment 6
Assignment 7
Assignment 8
Assignment 9
Assignment 10
Students should view grade in D2L under the gradebook and NOT under progress.
Nursing students who make less than 75% on any exam must make an appointment with their
course faculty advisor and develop a plan to improve their study skills and future testing
performance.
Weekly assignments: Normal return time to student by next class meeting or no later than one
(1) week.
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AUTHORIZED TOOLS
Students may use any/all course materials, including books and notes on homework
assignments. All exams and assignments are to be completed independently; no collaboration
with classmates is permitted and any instance of such will be considered academic dishonesty.
Refer to the Nursing Student Handbook under Testing for guidelines.
LATE WORK
Homework assignments are scheduled in the course calendar at the beginning of the semester. If
you fail to complete the assignment in the allotted time there will be no chance for a make-up
assignment and you will receive a zero. It is advised that you do not wait until the last day to
complete the assignment as the website, as any website, can be unpredictable.
TESTING
The Midterm and Final Exam will be a proctored exam in the computer lab of the Nursing
& Health Sciences Building.
Major examinations are scheduled in the course syllabus and will be announced at least one
week in advance. It is not reasonable to expect that examinations be rescheduled except in the
case of an EMERGENCY absence, e.g. death in the immediate family or significant illness of
the student. In case of an EMERGENCY absence, the student must notify the instructor prior to
the test time, and the instructor reserves the right to give an alternate examination. Failure to
make arrangements (within 24 hours) for a make-up test will result in a grade of “zero” recorded
for the examination missed. If an exam is rescheduled for a non-emergency absence, 5 points
per calendar day will be deducted from the student’s test score. Bring appropriate
documentation (e.g., doctor’s statement, obituary) to avoid losing points. Refer to the Nursing
Student Handbook under Testing for additional guidelines.
UNIVERSITY & COURSE EXPECTATIONS
It is the responsibility of each OSUIT student to read, abide by and maintain a copy of the
syllabus for this course. Syllabi are available on the OSUIT website.
Students understand that excerpts or portions of their work may be utilized for institutional
assessment purposes. The purpose of institutional assessment is for verification of student
learning and program improvement. Every effort will be made to keep this information
confidential.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, each student with a disability is responsible
for notifying the University of his/her disability and requesting accommodations. If you think
you have a qualified disability and need special accommodations, you should notify the
instructor and request verification of eligibility for accommodations from the Office of
Academic Accommodations/LASSO Center. Please advise the instructor of your disability as
soon as possible, and contact The LASSO Center, to ensure timely implementation of
appropriate accommodations. Faculty have an obligation to respond when they receive official
notice of a disability but are under no obligation to provide retroactive accommodations. To
receive services, you must submit appropriate documentation and complete an intake process
during which the existence of a qualified disability is verified and reasonable accommodations
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are identified. The LASSO Center is located on the 3rd floor of the Noble Center. You may call
918.293.4855 for more information or fax documentation to 918.293.4853.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Academic dishonesty or misconduct is neither condoned nor tolerated at OSUIT. Any student
found guilty of academic dishonesty or misconduct shall be subject to disciplinary action.
Academic dishonesty and/or misconduct includes, but is not limited to, the following actions:
(1) Plagiarism: the representation of previously written, published, or creative work as one’s
own; (2) Unauthorized collaboration on projects; (3) Cheating on examinations; (4)
Unauthorized advance access to exams; (5) Fraudulent alteration of academic materials; (6)
Knowing cooperation with another person in an academically dishonest undertaking. Students
are required to actively protect their work against misuse by others. For details, refer to The
OSUIT Student Handbook (Student Rights and Responsibilities Governing Student Behavior)
available online at http://www.osuit.edu/academics/forms/student_rights_responsibility.pdf.
ATTENDANCE POLICY (See Nursing Student Handbook)
Course Schedule
Course Outline
Topic
Assignment
Schedule
09/03/15-09/08/15 Orientation & Syllabus
Review syllabus & course
0830-0930
expectations
**Class 09/03/15
09/09/15-09/15/15 Module 1:
Reading:
 General Mathematics
 Chapter 1 General
**Class 09/10/15  Ratio & Proportion
Mathematics
 Chapter 2 Ratio &
Proportion
Assignments:
Pre-Class Prep:
Class Page Complete Chapter 1 &
2:
o Fractions
o Decimals
o Ratios
o Proportions
o Percents.
Post Class:
Class Page Complete Practice
Problems
Homework Assignments (1A) Math Review
 (1B) Ratio & Proportion
09/16/15-09/29/15 Module 2:
Reading:
 Safe Med Admin
 Chapter 3 Safe Med Admin
Due Date
09/03/15
09/10/15
by 1030
09/15/15
by noon
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**Class 09/17/15
**Class 09/24/15

Drug Measurements
and Oral Dose
Calculations
09/30/15-10/13/15 Module 3:
 Injectables
**Class 10/01/15  Meds from
Powders/Crystals
**Class 10/08/15
 Insulin Admin
 Anticoagulants

Chapter 4 Drug
Measurements and Oral
Dose Calculations
Assignments:
Pre-Class Prep:
Class Page Complete Chapter 3
o The 6 rights
o Computers in
Med Admin
o Bar Code
Admin
o MAR & eMAR
o Parts of a Drug
Label
o Reading Drug
Labels
 Complete Chapter 4
o Reading
Syringes
Post Class:
Class Page Complete Practice
Problems
Homework Assignments (2A) Med Safety
 (2B) Oral Doses
Reading:
 Chapter 5 Injectables
 Chapter 6 Meds from
Powders/Crystals
 Chapter 10 Insulin Admin
 Chapter 11 Anticoagulants
Assignments:
Pre-Class Prep:
Class Page Complete Chapter 5
o Oral dosages
o Parenteral
dosages
o Reconstitution
of Powdered
drugs
o I&O
o Tube Feedings
Ch. 3
09/17/15
by 1030
Ch. 4
09/24/15
by 1030
09/29/15
by noon
10/01/15
by 1030
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**Class 10/15/15
Review
Thurs., 10/22/15 Midterm Exam
1030-1130
10/23/15-11/10/15 Module 4:
Children’s Dosages
**Class 10/29/15
**Class 11/05/15
11/11/15-11/17/15 Module 5:
Basic IV Calculations
NOTE CHANGE
IN CLASS DAY
**Class: Wed.
1030-1130
11/11/15**
Complete Chapter 10
o Insulin
o Heparin
Post Class:
Class Page Complete Practice
Problems
Homework Assignments (3A) Injectables
 (3B) Insulin
Midterm Review
10/08/15
by 1030
Midterm Exam
(Modules 1-3)
Reading:
 Chapter 12 Children’s
Dosages
Assignment:
Pre-Class Prep:
Class Page Complete Chapter 12
o Pediatric
dosages per
body weight
o BSA is NOT
REQUIRED
Post Class:
Class Page Complete Practice
Problems
Homework Assignments (4) Children’s Doses
10/22/15
Reading:
 Chapter 7 Basic IV
Calculations
Assignment:
Pre-Class Prep:
Class Page Complete Chapter 7
o IV infusion
devices
o Understanding
IV flow rates
o Mixing IVs
o IV Push
10/13/15
by noon
10/15/15
10/29/15
by 1030
11/10/15
by noon
11/11/15
by 1030
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Post Class:
Class Page Complete Practice
Problems
Homework Assignments (5) Basic IV Calculations
11/18/15-12/01/15 Module 6:
Readings:
Advanced IV Calculations  Chapter 8 Advanced IV
**Class 11/19/15
Calculations
Assignments:
Pre-Class Prep:
Class Page Complete Chapter 8
o High Alert
Medications
o Safe Doses &
Titrating
Medications
o PCAs
Post Class:
Class Page Complete Practice
Problems
Homework Assignments (6A) Adv. IV Calculations
 (6B) Review
THANKSGIVING BREAK NOVEMBER 25-27
12/02/15-12/08/15 Review
Final Review
**Class 12/03/15
Thurs., 12/10/15 Final Exam
Comprehensive Final Exam
1230-1530
Modules 1-6
11/17/15
by noon
11/19/15
by 1030
12/01/15
by noon
12/03/15
12/10/15
Schedule is subject to change at instructor discretion.
Course Dates/ Module

09/09/15-09/15/15
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Module 1
Reading:
 Chapter 1 General Mathematics
 Chapter 2 Ratio & Proportion
Assignments:
Pre-Class Prep:
Class Page-
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Module Objectives
Add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions
and mixed numbers
Convert improper fractions and mixed
numbers
Reduce fractions to lowest terms
Create equivalent fractions and compare
values
Add, subtract, multiply, and divide
decimals
Compare decimal values
Round decimals
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Complete Chapter 1 & 2:
o Fractions
o Decimals
o Ratios
o Proportions
o Percents.
Post Class:
Class Page Complete Practice Problems
Homework Assignments (1A) Math Review
 (1B) Ratio & Proportion
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09/16/15-09/29/15

Module 2

Reading:
 Chapter 3 Safe Med Admin
 Chapter 4 Drug Measurements and
Oral Dose Calculations
Assignments:
Pre-Class Prep:
Class Page Complete Chapter 3
o The 6 rights
o Computers in Med
Admin
o Bar Code Admin
o MAR & eMAR
o Parts of a Drug Label
o Reading Drug Labels
 Complete Chapter 4
o Reading Syringes
Post Class:
Class Page Complete Practice Problems
Homework Assignments (2A) Med Safety
 (2B) Oral Doses
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
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
09/30/15-10/13/15
Convert decimals, fractions, and
percentages
Express ratios as fractions
Reduce fractions to lowest numerical terms
Solve verbal and numerical ratio and
proportion problems for x
Solve one-step ratio and proportion
problems
Prove answers
Identify the knowledge and skills needed
for safe administration of medications
Describe safe nursing practices that reduce
medication errors
Interpret medication-related abbreviations
and medication labels
Identify equipment for oral medication
administration
Identify solid and liquid forms of
medications
Identify key characteristics of medication
administration records (MARs)
Convert time to military hours
Explain the need for incident reports
Analyze medication errors using critical
thinking
Convert milligrams, micrograms, grams,
and kilograms
Memorize milliliter and liter conversions
Calculate gram and milligram conversion
problems
Round medication doses to the nearest
measurable amount
Identify metric and household liquid
equivalents
Identify one- and two-step metric
conversion problems
Distinguish unit and milliequivalent labels
Analyze medication errors using critical
thinking
Calculate injectable doses
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Module 3

Reading:
 Chapter 5 Injectables
 Chapter 6 Meds from
Powders/Crystals
 Chapter 10 Insulin Admin
 Chapter 11 Anticoagulants
Assignments:
Pre-Class Prep:
Class Page Complete Chapter 5
o Oral dosages
o Parenteral dosages
o Reconstitution of
Powdered drugs
o I&O
o Tube Feedings
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
Complete Chapter 10
o Insulin
o Heparin
Post Class:
Class Page Complete Practice Problems
Homework Assignments (3A) Injectables
 (3B) Insulin
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
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10/23/15-11/10/15
Module 4
Read and indicate measurable doses on
syringes
Calculate and combine doses for two
medications to be mixed in one syringe
Identify safety hazards of injectable
medications
Read reconstitution labels to determine
specific diluents, diluent amounts, specific
doses, conditions for storage, and expiration
dates
State the importance of initialing and
writing the date and time of reconstitution
on the medication vial or bottle
Determine the best dilution strength to use
for multiple-dosage strength vials
Calculate doses in milligrams, grams, and
milliliters for oral and parenteral routes
Reconstitute and measure liquid
medications
Reconstitute medications from powders and
crystals
Identify sites for insulin injections
Identify the different types of insulin labels
Read calibrations on 30-, 50-, and 100-unit
insulin syringes
Prepare single- and mixed-dose insulin
injections
Use electronic intravenous devices to
administer insulin dosages
Calculate IV insulin for units per hr and mL
per hr and duration
Analyze medication errors using critical
thinking
Compare the actions of oral, subcutaneous
(SQ), and intravenous anticoagulants
Measure a dose in a tuberculin syringe
Measure subcutaneous heparin using
various concentrations
Analyze medication errors using critical
thinking
Calculate:
o 24-hour drug doses and divided
doses for specific weights
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Reading:
 Chapter 12 Children’s Dosages
Assignment:
Pre-Class Prep:
Class Page Complete Chapter 12
o Pediatric dosages per
body weight
o BSA is NOT
REQUIRED
Post Class:
Class Page Complete Practice Problems
Homework Assignments (4) Children’s Doses
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


11/11/15-11/17/15


Module 5
Reading:
 Chapter 7 Basic IV Calculations
Assignment:
Pre-Class Prep:
Class Page Complete Chapter 7
o IV infusion devices
o Understanding IV flow
rates
o Mixing IVs
o IV Push
Post Class:
Class Page Complete Practice Problems
Homework Assignments (5) Basic IV Calculations





11/18/15-12/01/15
Module 6

Readings:
 Chapter 8 Advanced IV Calculations

o Safe dose ranges in mg per kg and
mcg per kg
o Reconstituted pediatric drug doses
and small-volume IV flow rates for
children
Evaluate orders and safe dose range
calculations
Make a decision:
o Give medication (within therapeutic
range)
o Hold medication and clarify
promptly (overdose or underdose)
Analyze medication errors using critical
thinking
Calculate intravenous (IV) flow rates for
drops per min, mL per hr, and infusion time
Interpret IV labels
Identify various electronic IV infusion
devices
Identify IV sets: primary, primary with a
port, IVPB extension tubing, transfusion
sets, and venous access devices for
intermittent use.
Check physician’s IV order for type of
solution, amount, additives, and rate
Analyze IV orders for safe administration
using critical thinking skills
Analyze medication errors using critical
thinking skills
Calculate milligrams per kilogram and
micrograms per kilogram per minute and
per hour
Calculate hourly drug dose and hourly flow
rate for IV solutions
Estimate and calculate infusion rates and
drug doses using ratio and proportion
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Assignments:
Pre-Class Prep:
Class Page Complete Chapter 8
o High Alert Medications
o Safe Doses & Titrating
Medications
o PCAs
Post Class:
Class Page Complete Practice Problems
Homework Assignments (6A) Adv. IV Calculations
 (6B) Review
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
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Calculate time and dose intervals for direct
IV push (bolus) medications administered
by a syringe
Evaluate existing infusions for correct flow
rate and drug dose, and obtain order to
change if incorrect
Analyze IV medication errors using critical
thinking skills