MIAMI-DADE COLLEGE
Medical Center Campus
School of Nursing
COURSE #
& TITLE:
NUR 1142
Introduction to Nursing Math & Pharmacology
PLACEMENT IN
CURRICULUM:
Level I Semester 1
Prerequisites:
Co-requisites:
ENC 1101, BSC 2085, BSC 2085L, CHM 1033, CHM 1033L,
PHI 2604, BSC 2086, BSC 2086L, HSC 0001
Fundamentals of Nursing, Fundamentals of Nursing Clinical
Laboratory, Fundamentals of Nursing Skills Laboratory, Health
Assessment, PPE 1005
COURSE CREDIT:
1 Credit
Monday 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
September 8th – November 10th
Kathy Thomas RN, MSN
Office: Rm. 2355
Phone: 305-237-4264
Email: kthomas1@mdcc.edu
CLASS DAY / TIME:
FACULTY:
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course introduces basic principles of pharmacology
along with the conceptual and mathematical operations necessary for safe and effective
administration of oral, topical, parenteral, and intravenous medications and/or solutions.
Application of the nursing process as it relates to medication administration is also
discussed.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of this course the student, with
assistance from the faculty, will be able to:
1. Recognize and express the basic systems of measurement used to calculate
pharmacologic dosages.
2. Perform basic mathematical computations that involve Arabic numbers, Roman
numerals, fractions, and decimals as they relate to administration of various
drugs and/or solutions.
3. Recognize the appropriate calibrations required to regulate an intravenous (IV)
solution according to the specified tubing and/or infusion device.
4. Calculate the flow rate and assess safe dosages for IV medications administered
over a specific period of time according to the specified tubing and/or infusion
device.
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NUR 1142 Intro-Math/Pharm
2
TEXTBOOKS & STUDENT RESOURCES
Required Textbooks:
MDCC School of Nursing. Nursing Curriculum: Level 1 – Modules
Pickar, Gloria (1999). Dosage Calculations, (6th edition). Albany, NY: Delmar Pub.
Ochs, G., Potter, P, Perry, A. (2001). Fundamentals of nursing study guide and
skill performance checklist. St. Louis, MO: Mosby.
Potter, P., Perry, A. (2002). Basic fundamentals of nursing (6th ed.).
St. Louis, MO: Mosby.
Student Resources:
Nurse Pro-Cal – computer software available in the Student Success Center.
Smart Thinking Software Package: Math Tutorial Available in the Student
Success Center
Tutoring A completed tutoring referral form is included in this syllabus. If you feel you are
in need of remediation, take this form to the Student Success Center for tutoring
assistance or to use the above named software.
Calculators - A calculator for computations should be brought to each class.
Calculators with data storage capabilities will not be permitted for exams.
TEACHING/LEARNING METHODS:
Lecture with group discussion; written assignments; Written examinations
Multi-media presentations; Computer-based self-Assessment exercises.
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NUR 1142 Intro-Math/Pharm
3
EVALUATION METHODS
Course Grading Policy:
1. Components of Grade:
4 unit tests (15% each)
Comprehensive Final Exam
Self-Assessment Exercises
Smart Thinking Exercises
60%
30%
5%
5%
2. School of Nursing Grading Scale:
93-100%
85-92%
77-84%
A
B
C
69 – 76%
D
Below 69% F
3. Method of Communicating Grades:
Grades for each test will be posted no later than one week after taking the test.
4. Make-up Tests:
There will be no make up tests for this course.
If a student is unable to attend class on the day a test is scheduled the weight of
the final will be increased by the weight of each test missed.
5. Test Review:
Faculty will review exam content when test results are distributed. Students who
wish to review their own test results must schedule an appointment with the
faculty within one week after receiving individual results.
ATTENDANCE:
Attendance is required in order for students to successfully meet the course
objectives. Students who miss any scheduled lectures are responsible for
acquiring the missed information.
PROGRESSION:
In order to progress to Semester 2, students must earn a grade of “S” and/or “C”
or higher in every nursing course required this semester. See co-requisites.
ssf/1142/F03
NUR 1142 Intro-Math/Pharm
4
COURSE CALENDAR
TIME: 2:00 – 3:30PM
DAY: Friday
WEEK/DATE
WEEK 1
Sept 8
WEEK 2
Sept. 15
WEEK 3
Sept. 22
WEEK 4
Sept. 29
WEEK 5
Oct. 6
WEEK 6
Oct. 13
WEEK 7
Oct. 20
WEEK 8
Oct. 27
WEEK 9
Nov. 3
TOPIC / CONTENT*
Overview of Course
Introduction to Math/Pharmacology
Abbreviations: Medication Administration
Introduction to Systems Measurement:
The Metric System
The Apothecary System
The Household Systems
Quiz # 1
Mathematical Problem Solving Methods for
Dosage Calculations:
Desired/Have/Quantity
Dosage Calculations:
Ratio: Proportion
Factor (Dimensional) Analysis
Quiz # 2
Conversions & Calculations:
Non-Parenteral Medications
Conversions & Calculations
Parenteral Medications
Injectable Medications in Powdered Form
Quiz # 3
Conversions & Calculations:
Pediatric Drug Administration
IV infusions
Conversions & Calculations:
I.V. Infusions & Medications
READING
ASSIGNMENTS
Syllabus
Curriculum* pp. 150-152
Pickar: pp. 7 - 36
Pickar: pp. 61-72
Pickar: pp. 39 – 46;
pp. 150 - 158
Pickar: pp. 47 – 51
pp. 235 - 239
Pickar: pp. 154-168
Pickar: pp. 181-187;
193-201; 206-214; 271277
Pickar: pp. 245-252
Pickar: pp. 294-305;
Pickar: pp. 314– 320;
355-360
Quiz # 4
Review: Major Concepts
Course / Faculty Evaluations
WEEK 10
Nov. 10
Comprehensive Final Exam
* Refers to Nursing Curriculum Level I Semester 1
Students are expected to prepare for each class by doing the reading
assignments and any preparatory self-assessment exercises prior to
each class meeting.
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