Angelina College
Health Careers Division
RNSG 1208 – Dosage Calculations for Nursing
General Syllabus
I.
BASIC COURSE INFORMATION:
A. Course Description: Two hours credit. Reading, interpreting, and solving calculations problems
encountered in the preparation of medications; includes conversion of measurements within the
apothecary, avoirdupois, and metric system. This course lends itself to either a blocked or integrated
approach. Learning outcomes: Solve problems using a critical thinking approach and convert between the
metric, apothecary, and avoirdupois systems.
B. Intended Audience: Students working toward a degree in the health care field.
C. Instructor:
Office Location:
Phone:
Tonya LaForge, MSN, RN, CNOR, CST
HC 205
Office Hours: By appointment
936-633-5275
E-mail: tlaforge@angelina.edu
II. INTENDED STUDENT OUTCOMES:
A. Core Objectives Required for this Course
1. Critical Thinking: to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, analysis, and evaluation
and synthesis of information
2. Communication: to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas
through written, oral and visual communication
3. Empirical and Quantitative Skills: to include the manipulation and analysis of numerical data
or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions
4. Teamwork: to include the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively
with others to support a shared purpose or goal
5. Social Responsibility: to include the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to
ethical decision-making
6. Personal Responsibility: to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic
responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities
B. Course Learning Outcomes – On completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Be proficient in conversions within measurement system.
2. Solve equations using basic math rules and principles.
3. Calculate safe dosages for pediatric patients.
4. Be proficient in entry level nursing dosage calculations
C. Course Objectives
Unit I:
Math Review
Chapter 1: Roman Numerals (as stated on text pg. 6)
Chapter 2: Fractions (as stated in text on pg. 11)
Chapter 3: Decimals (as stated in text on pg. 28)
Chapter 4: Ratio and Proportion (as stated in text on pg. 44)
Chapter 5: Percentages (as stated in text on pg. 55)
Unit II: Systems of Measurement
Chapter 6: Metric System (as stated in text on pg. 74)
Chapter 7: Apothecary and Hosehold Systems (as stated in text on pg. 85)
Chapter 8: Converting Within and Between Systems (as stated in text on pg. 92)
Chapter 9: Additional Conversions Useful in the Health Care Setting (as stated in text on pg. 110)
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Unit III: Methods of Administration and Calculation
Chapter 10: Medication Administration (as stated in text on pg. 124)
Chapter 11: Understanding and Interpreting Medication Orders (as stated in text on pg. 147)
Chapter 12: Medication Administration Records & Drug Distribution Systems (stated text pg. 165)
Chapter 13: Reading Medication Labels (as stated in text on pg. 180)
Chapter 14: Dosage Calculation Using Ratio and Proportion Method (as stated in text on pg. 217)
Chapter 15: Dosage Calculation Using the Formula Method (as stated in text on pg. 246)
Chapter 16: Dosage Calculation Using the Dimensional Analysis Method (stated in text pg. 267)
Unit IV: Oral and Parenteral Dosage Forms of Insulin
Chapter 17: Oral Medications (as stated in text on pg. 288)
Chapter 18: Parenteral Medications (as stated in text on pg. 349)
Chapter 19: Reconstitution of Solutions (as stated in text on pg. 413)
Chapter 20: Insulin (as stated in text on pg. 465)
Unit V: Intravenous, Heparing, and Critical Care Calculations and Pediatric Dosage Calculations
Chapter 21: Intravenous Solutions and Equipment (as stated in text on pg. 498)
Chapter 22: Intravenous Calculations (as stated in text on pg. 520)
Chapter 23: Heparin Calculations (as stated in text on pg. 588)
Chapter 25: Pediatric and Adult Dosage Calculations Based on Weight (stated in text on pg. 642)
III. ASSESSMENT MEASURES
A. Assessments for the Core Objectives:
1. Critical Thinking: to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, analysis, and evaluation
and synthesis of information
2. Communication: to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas
through written, oral and visual communication
3. Empirical and Quantitative Skills: to include the manipulation and analysis of numerical data
or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions
4. Teamwork: to include the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively
with others to support a shared purpose or goal
5. Social Responsibility: to include the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to
ethical decision-making
6. Personal Responsibility: to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic
responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities
B. Assessments for Course Learning Outcomes
C. Assessments for Course Objectives for all sections –
SCANS (Secretary of Labor’s commission of Achieving Necessary Skills): Students are expected to
demonstrate basic competency in academic and workforce skills. The following competencies with
evaluation are covered in RNSG 1208.
Foundation Skills
Written Assignments
Required Reading
Critical Thinking Math Quizzes
Demonstrated Competency in Computer Literacy
Workplace Competencies
Computer Assisted Instruction
Competence in Math calculations
IV. INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES:
Computer assisted instruction
Educational games
Group discussion
Independent Study
Lecture
Lab Participation
Independent study (CD that accompanies text)
Tutoring in Math lab (science building)
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V. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND POLICIES:
A. Required Textbooks and Recommended Readings, Materials and Equipment: Calculate with
Confidence, Deborah Gray Morris (2014). 6th edition; Calculator (two function)
B. Course Policies – This course conforms to the policies of Angelina College as stated in the
Angelina College Handbook.
1. Academic Assistance – If you have a disability (as cited in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973 or Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990) that may affect your participation in this
class, you should see Karen Bowser, Room 208 of the Student Center. At a post-secondary institution,
you must self-identify as a person with a disability; Ms. Bowser will assist you with the necessary
information to do so. To report any complaints of discrimination related to disability, you should contact
Dr. Patricia McKenzie, Administration Building, Room 105 or 936-633-5201.
2. Attendance – Attendance is required as per Angelina College Policy and will be recorded every day.
Any student with three (3) consecutive absences of four (4) cumulative absences may be dropped from
the class. Records will be turned in to the academic dean at the end of the semester. Do not assume
that non-attendance in class will always result in an instructor drop. You must officially drop a class
or risk receiving an F. This is official Angelina College Policy.
3. Additional Policies Established by the Instructor – No makeup quizzes. Makeup exams are at the
discretion of the instructor. Students must contact the instructor within one day after missing an exam.
VI. COURSE OUTLINE: Description of the Course Activities including due dates, schedules, and deadlines
Week 1-2
Unit One
Math
Review
Week 3-4
Unit Two
Systems of
Measurement
Week 5-7
Unit Three
Methods of
Administration
and
Calculation
Chapters
1-5
Chapters
6-9
Chapters
10-16
Week 8
Mid Term
Exam
50 Questions
Ch. 1-16
Unit I, II, & III
Week 9-11
Unit Four
Oral and Parenteral
Dosage Forms,
Insulin, & Pediatric
Dosage Calculations
Week 12-14
Unit five
IV, Heparin
subq
Week 15
Quiz &
Review
for final
Week 16
Comprehensive
Final Exam
50 Questions
Chapters
17-21
Chapters
22-23
Chapters
1-23
Chapters
1 – 23
VII. EVALUATION AND GRADING:
A. Grading Criteria - based on class participation, lab participation, midterm exam, and final exam
Methods of Evaluation:
Quizzes & Workbook */**
Midterm exam
Final Exam
40%
30%
30%
*There are no make up for weekly quizzes. A “0” will be given if a quiz is missed. The two lowest quiz
grades will be dropped for the final quiz average. Some weekly quizzes may be administered via
Blackboard in this course.
Grading Scale:
A = 90 or above
C = 70-79
F = 59 or below
B = 80-89
D = 60-69
B. Determination of Grade
Final grade for the course is based on the above methods of evaluation. The final exam is also the dosage
calculations exam for the nursing program. If you fail to make a 90% on the final, you will be given two
additional chances to take the dosage exam for entrance into the Nursing program. These additional
chances will not change the final course grade as determined above. The additional exams will be
scheduled by the Associate Degree Nursing Program Coordinator (call 633-3200 for an appointment).
The instructor may modify the provisions of the syllabus to meet individual class needs by informing the class in
advance as to the changes being made.
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