I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Medication Administration Concepts

2. Course Prefix & Number:
NURS 1542

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 1

Lecture Hours: 1

4. Course Description:

This course offers a basic review of math and dimensional analysis as applied by health care professionals. Topics include the metric system, preparation of solutions, pediatric dosage, I.V. solutions, and advanced I.V. titration of medications. Application will be made through subsequent nursing courses.

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

No placement tests required

Score:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

7. Other Prerequisites
Admission to Nursing Program.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

III. Course Purpose

1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):

Nursing - Associate in Science Degree

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate written communication skills	Identify current research and describe how evidence-based findings relate to promoting quality and safety with regard to medication administration.
Analyze and follow a sequence of operations	Calculate medication orders to ensure safe administration of medication and the prevention of errors and sentinel events.
Utilize appropriate technology	Describe risk factors and practices that contribute to medication errors, and evaluate one’s own techniques for best practice and quality improvement.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Explain the role of advocacy and safety in medication management across the lifespan;
• Calculate medication orders to ensure safe administration of medication and the prevention of errors and sentinel events;
• Describe risk factors and practices that contribute to medication errors, and evaluate one’s own techniques for best practice and quality improvement; and
• Identify current research, and describe how evidence-based findings relate to promoting quality and safety with regard to medication administration. 

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Whole numbers
2. Fractions
3. Decimals and percents
4. Dimensional analysis
5. Measures and equivalents
6. Conversions
7. Safety considerations in medication administration
8. Prescriptions and medication orders
9. Reading medication labels and syringes
10. Reconstituting parenteral medications from a powder
11. Calculations using weight and body surface area
12. Intravenous delivery systems and equipment
13. Intravenous calculations
14. Enteral tube feedings
15. Insulin administration
16. Heparin administration
17. Critical care dosage calculations
18. Lifespan considerations in dosage calculations