Pharmaceutical Calculations

Catalog description

This course focuses on applying the fundamentals of calculations and measurement to mathematical problems associated with pharmacy, to accurately use formulas, approximate equivalents, and nomograms to calculate doses, to memorize specific nomenclature (metric, apothecary and avoirdupois systems, Latin abbreviations) needed to interpret a prescription order, to accurately utilize dimensional analysis, ratio-proportion, and other methods of measurement to convert between units. Dosage calculations emphasizes critical thinking techniques to effectively, accurately and safely calculate dosages of medications. It includes reading, interpreting and solving calculation problems encountered in the preparation of medication in all pharmacy practice settings including but not limited to problems dealing with aliquots, concentration, dosing patients, allegation, dilution of solutions, isotonicity, IV rates of flow, milliequivalents and milliosmoles, among other basic pharmacy calculation concepts.