Course Number and Title:
NUR 150 Principles of Safe Medication Administration
Prerequisites
BIO 120 and (MAT 152 or higher)
Course Credits and Hours
2 credit(s)
2 lecture hours/week
0 lab hours/week
Course Description
This course equips students with the essential knowledge for basic pharmacology, safe medication administration, and accurate dosage calculation. Students will learn to navigate the complexities of medication administration, focusing on both adult and pediatric populations. By the end of the course, participants will be well-prepared to enhance their clinical practice through safe medication administration principles and precise calculations, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Core Course Performance Objectives (CCPOs)
Demonstrate safe medication administration. (CCC: 1 PGC: 1, 5)
Calculate measurements converting between the metric and English systems. (CCC: 1 PGC: 1)
Calculate medication dosages by reading medication labels. (CCC: 1 PGC: 1)
Calculate adult medication dosages for oral, parenteral, and intravenous medications. (CCC: 1 PGC: 1)
Calculate pediatric medication dosages for oral, parenteral, and intravenous medications. (CCC: 1 PGC: 1)
See Core Curriculum Competencies and Program Graduate Competencies at the end of the syllabus. CCPOs are linked to every competency they develop.
Measurable Performance Objectives (MPOs)
Upon completion of this course, the student will:
- Demonstrate safe medication administration.
- Identify the medication rights of medication administration.
- Discuss the nurse’s role related to safe medication practices used to reduce errors.
- Examine the basics of medication administration.
- Use the nursing process when administering medications to minimize errors.
- Identify approved abbreviations used in medication administration.
- Discuss the nurse's responsibility, accountability, and liability related to safe medication administration.
- Apply rounding rules when performing calculations of medication dosages
- Describe the components of the medication administration record (MAR).
- Calculate measurements converting between the metric and English systems.
- Convert time between 12- and 24-hour clocks.
- Calculate measurements between household and metric systems.
- Illustrate proper conversion from the imperial system to the metric system to calculate accurate weight based medication dosage.
- Calculate medication dosages by reading medication labels.
- Explain components of the manufacturer's medication label along with the necessary information required for medication administration.
- Calculate medication dosages using pertinent information on medication labels.
- Calculate adult medication dosages for oral, parenteral, and intravenous medications.
- Identify forms of medications and routes for their delivery.
- Explain methods for measuring and administering various forms of medications.
- Perform dosage calculations for medications.
- Perform weight-based dosage calculation.
- Calculate pediatric medication dosages for oral, parenteral and intravenous medications
- Explore specific considerations when administering medications to the pediatric client.
- Identify forms of medications and routes for their delivery.
- Explain methods for measuring and administering various forms of medications.
- Perform dosage calculations for medications.
- Perform weight-based dosage calculation
Evaluation Criteria/Policies
The grade will be determined using the Delaware Tech grading system:
| 90-100 |
= |
A |
| 80-89 |
= |
B |
| 70-79 |
= |
C |
| 0-69 |
= |
F |
Students should refer to the
Catalog/Student Handbook for information on the Academic Standing Policy, the Academic Integrity Policy, Student Rights and Responsibilities, and other policies relevant to their academic progress.
Final Course Grade
Calculated using the following weighted average
Evaluation Measure | Percentage of final grade |
Summative Assessments |
Final Exam | 40% |
Formative Assessments |
5 quizzes (equally weighted) | 50% |
Project
| 10% |
TOTAL | 100% |
Program Graduate Competencies (PGCs are the competencies every graduate will develop specific to his or her major)
Integrate sound nursing judgment, incorporating theoretical knowledge, clinical reasoning skills, and informatics to provide clinically competent nursing care for individuals, families, and communities.
Integrate the diversity of the individual, family, and community to maintain caring relationships.
Employ appropriate communication techniques while functioning as a member of the healthcare team.
Manage care for a group of patients using organization, collaboration, and delegation.
Integrate civic professionalism, ethical, and legal standards into nursing practice.
Core Curriculum Competencies (CCCs are the competencies every graduate will develop)
- Apply clear and effective communication skills.
- Use critical thinking to solve problems.
- Collaborate to achieve a common goal.
- Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
- Use information literacy for effective vocational and/or academic research.
- Apply quantitative reasoning and/or scientific inquiry to solve practical problems.
Students in Need of Accommodations Due to a Disability
We value all individuals and provide an inclusive environment that fosters equity and student success. The College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. Students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with the campus Disabilities Support Counselor to request an accommodation needed due to a disability. The College's policy on accommodations for persons with disabilities can be found in the College's Guide to Requesting Academic Accommodations and/or Auxiliary Aids Students may also access the Guide and contact information for Disabilities Support Counselors through the Student Resources web page under Disabilities Support Services, or visit the campus Advising Center.