Date Syllabus Filed: Fall 2008
Instructor: Brian Dechant
Home Phone: 785.365.0019
Where to Leave Messages: Business Office 785.623.6160
Course Number: PHRM 102
Semester Credits: 3 credits
Course Title: Pharmaceutical Calculations
Building: RE Building – Room 116
Catalog Description: Students will demonstrate the
ability to perform pharmaceutical calculations
required for the usual dosage determinations and solution preparation. Emphasis will be placed on basic computations,
use of measuring tools, dosage computations, compounding calculations and
solution preparation. Topics covered
include ratio and proportion, dilution and concentration, milliequivalent,
units, and intravenous flow rates.
Students will complete a Understanding
Pharmacy Calculations workbook during this course.
Text:
Math Calculations for Pharmacy Technicians “A
WORKTEXT” Fulcher
Supplies Needed: Students need to furnish the
following: Pen and/or Pencil, paper and
calculator.
Reference Material:
Method of Evaluation/Grades: Quizzes and unit tests will be
utilized. Quizzes will be given at the
beginning of the class period over material that was previously
covered. In order to get credit for a
quiz, students must be present when class begins. Students who are tardy will lose credit for
the quiz.
Quizzes = 40% of grade Tests = 60% of grade
90-100 =
A 80-89 = B 70-79 = C 60-69 = D Below 60 = F
Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend class,
lab and clinical experiences. If a
student is absent, he or she is responsible for obtaining information missed
during that class/lab time. Students are
expected to attend clinical experiences.
Students are expected to be on time.
The instructor is to be notified at least 30 minutes in advance if the
student is to be absent from theory/laboratory/clinical. Students are expected to participate in group
projects, individual reports, and laboratory experiences as assigned.
Inclement Weather Policy: In the event that a student is
unable to attend class because of inclement weather, he/she is required to
notify the office that day. Any
student not following this procedure will be counted absent.
Services For
Students With Disabilities: Students, with
either a permanent or temporary disability, who require accommodation for more
than one week should request services by contacting the Student Services
Office. Students requesting accommodations must present written documentation
from a certified professional, which should include a statement identifying the
disability as well as recommendations for accommodations. Contact, at least one
month in advance, the Dean of Student Services (785) 738-2276 to make requests
for accommodations.
Policy
Regarding Academic Dishonesty: Academic
dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated while attending
EPA
Standards: The college will comply with all Federal and State Standards in
regard to OSHA and EPA Regulations. In
most of the shops and labs, students either handle to produce hazardous waste
materials. All faculty
have received training on these standards.
Students must follow Universal Precautions.
Course Objectives:
1. List the
commonly used units of measure in the metric system.
2. Distinguish
between the official abbreviations and variations in common use.
3. Express
metric weights and volumes using correct notation rules.
4. Convert
metric weights and volumes within the system.
5. Recognize
dosages measured in units, percentages, ratio strengths, milliequivalents,
apothecary measures and household measures.
6. Convert back
and forth between the Fahrenheit and centigrade/Celsius temperature scales.
7. Demonstrate
setting up calculations using proportional and dimensional analysis.
8. Describe
abbreviations used on prescriptions.
9. Demonstrate
skill in interpreting prescription directions.
10. Demonstrate
skill in composing instructions for a label.
11. Demonstrate
skill in understanding abbreviations that are common in the health-care
setting.
12. Demonstrate
skill in understanding expressions of drug amounts.
13. Explain the
various terms used when referring to drug amounts.
14. Explain the
concept of percent ionization.
15. Recognize the
difference between acids and bases.
16. Explain the
various terms commonly used in the IV room.
17. Demonstrate
skill in dimensional analysis in the IV room.
18. Explain the
concept of osmolarity.
19. Explain the
concept of isotonicity.
20. Describe the
processes of diluting and concentrating.
21. Explain the
Alligation Method.
22. Demonstrate
understanding of Aliquot measurement.
23. Demonstrate
understanding of buffer systems.
24. Describe how
buffers are used in pharmacy practice.
25. Describe the
human body’s buffer system.
26. Demonstrate
skill in calculating a patient-specific dose.
27. Explain body
weight considerations.
28. Explain the
units for body surface area.
29. Demonstrate
skill in calculating in calculating doses for patients with decreased kidney
function.
30. Demonstrate
skill in infusion rate dosing calculations.
31. Explain the
concept of tapering from a high dose down to a low dose.
32. Explain the
concept of desensitization.
33. Describe
pharmacokinetics and how it refers to the study and characterization of drug
disposition in the body.
34. Explain the
components on total parenteral nutrition (TPN).
35. Demonstrate
skill in mixing TPN using the pump method.
36. Demonstrate
skill in mixing TPN using the preset volume method (traditional).
37. Demonstrate
skill in interpreting the TPN worksheet.
Course Outline:
Section I Introduction and Basic Math Skills
1. Assessment of Mathematical Skills Needed in Health Occupations
2. Review of Basic Mathematical Skills
Section II Measurements Used in Health Care and Conversions between
Measurement Systems
3. Conversion of Clinical Measurements of Numbers, Time and
Temperature 4. Comparisons of Measurement Systems
5. Conversions between Measurement Systems
Section III Medication and Prescription Orders and Their Calculations
6. Interpretation of Medication Labels and Orders
7. Calculation of Solid Oral Doses and
Dosages
8. Calculate Doses of Liquid Oral and
Parenteral Medications
9. Reconstitution of Powders or
Section IV Special Medication Calculations
10. Calculation of Medications for Special Populations Based on Body Weight and
Patient Age
11. Calculation of Medications Measured in
Units, Milliequivalents and Percents of Concentration
12. Calculation of Medications for
Intravenous Uses
13. Calculation of Mixtures from Stock
Medications
14. Interpreting Physician’s Orders for
Dosages
Rev
08.08