Nursing 301

I.     Course Title: Dosage Calculations

II.    Course Number: NURS 301

III.    Credit Hours: 1 credit

V.    Course Description:

This course reviews basic mathematics used by nurses for dosage calculation of medications and solutions. It focuses on calculating medication dosages (oral and parenteral), intravenous fluid flow rates and infusion time, and preparation of solutions. Students learn how to interpret medication orders and drug labels.

VI.    Course Objectives: 

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to

  1. Recall the units, abbreviations, and symbols used in the metric, apothecary, and household systems of measurement.
  2. Apply the rules of problem solving to calculate equivalent quantities among the three systems of measurement accurately.
  3. Interpret physician’s orders and drug labels to calculate doses for non-parenteral and parenteral medications.
  4. Calculate dosages for non-parenteral and parenteral medications and solutions.
  5. Calculate dosages for medications based on body weight.
  6. Perform calculations necessary to prepare solutions by diluting stock solutions and prepare solutions from pure drugs.
  7. Calculate IV solution infusion rates and infusion times.

VII.   Date of Syllabus Approval: 12-7-12