NU-122 Math Skills in Nursing I

Course Description:

This is an elective course for Level I nursing majors. Provides supplemental practice with the dosage calculation skills for NU 125.

• Prerequisite Courses:  Corequisite: NU 125

The student will be able to:

1. Model personal and professional actions based on self-reflection, core nursing values, and lifelong growth integrating new knowledge, ethical principles, and legal standards for safe, quality nursing practice.
2. Incorporate nursing knowledge to assess, plan, deliver, and evaluate care within the context of the interprofessional health team.
3. Make evidence-based nursing judgments in the delivery of safe, holistic nursing care.
4. Demonstrate a spirit of inquiry to manage and improve the quality of care and outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.
5. Practice relationship-centered communication and incorporate health technology as a member of the interprofessional team.
6. Advocate for a caring, culturally safe, and flourishing environment that reflects the values and needs of Micronesian families and communities.
7. Practice and contribute to the primary care and public health care systems in Micronesia to promote family and community wellness.

B.  STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs) - GENERAL: 
The student will be able to:

1. Perform basic mathematical computations essential for calculating drug dosages.
2. Interpret, properly express, and convert metric, apothecary and household notations.
3. Read and interpret medication orders accurately.
4. Utilize a consistent calculation procedure in nursing practice.
5. Translate the dosages of prescribed medications to units of measurement commonly used by Micronesians in their homes.
6. Recognize legal and ethical practices to promote safety in administration of medications.

I = Introduced
D = Demonstrated
M = Mastered

C.  STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs)-SPECIFIC: 
 
The student will be able to:
General SLO 1. Perform basic mathematical computations essential for calculating drug dosages.

General SLO 2. Interpret, properly express, and convert metric, apothecary and household notations.

General SLO 3.  Read and interpret medication orders accurately.

General SLO 4.  Utilize a consistent calculation procedure in nursing practice.

General SLO 5. Translate the dosages of prescribed medications to units of measurement commonly used by Micronesians in their homes.

General SLO 6. Recognize legal and ethical practices to promote safety in administration of medications.

D.  COURSE CONTENT

1. Fractions and decimals in nursing
2. Ratio, percents, simple equations and ratio-proportions in nursing
3. Systems of measurement in nursing
4. Conversions: metric, apothecary, and household systems
5. Conversions: time and temperature
6. Conversions: height and weight
7. Equipment used in dosage measurement
8. Interpreting drug orders
9. Understanding drug labels
10. Preventing medication errors
11. Oral dosage of drugs
12. Parenteral dosage of drugs

E.  METHODS OF INSTRUCTION

1. Mini-lecture.
2. Computer assisted learning activities
3. Online activities.
4. Interactive group activities.
5. Independent learning activities.

F.  REQUIRED TEXT(S) AND COURSE MATERIALS
Bucholz, S. (2012 ).  Henke’s med-math dosage calculation, preparation and Administration (7th ed). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. (or most recent edition)
Class handouts.

G.  REFERENCE MATERIALS (previously purchased references)
General and medical dictionaries.
Karch, A. (2011).  Focus on nursing pharmacology (5th ed.).  Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. (or most recent edition)

H.  INSTRUCTIONAL COSTS
None

I.   EVALUATION
None

L.  CREDIT BY EXAMINATION
None