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LPN 1113 - Pharmacology I
Course Philosophy and Instructor Requirements
Philosophy: This course develops competencies to safely administer medications to patients of
all ages. Students will use formulas for conversion of measures from the household, apothecary
and metric systems to accurately calculate medication dosages. Practical application of
medication administration, including accurate interpretation of orders and documentation using
the nursing process and critical thinking skills will be practiced in the skills laboratory. This
course is a pre-requisite for all subsequent courses.
This course is designed to build a mathematical foundation for students in order that they
may accurately calculate medication dosages and build necessary skills for the safe preparation
and administration of medications to the adults and pediatric patient. It reflects legal aspects,
current and commonly used practices, procedures, medications and drug preparations.
Instructor Objectives: The instructor’s teaching techniques should ensure that the students are
able to:
 Demonstrate basic mathematics skills when performing basic dosage calculation and drug
administration tasks.
 Perform calculations and medication dosages, without the use of a calculator accurately.
 Convert measurements between the household, apothecary and metric system correctly.
 Identify how drug legislation and regulation protect the public.
 Identify guidelines for safe administration of medications: oral, nasogastric, skin
(topical), ophthalmic, otic, vaginal, rectal, subcutaneous, intramuscular and intradermal
medications & intravenous medications.
 Correctly prepare and administer oral, ophthalmic and otic medications and
subcutaneous, intramuscular and intradermal injections from a vial and an ampule in the
laboratory setting utilizing critical thinking skills.
 Correctly prepare and administer Intravenous medications in the laboratory setting
utilizing critical thinking skills.
 Describe the Licensed Practical Nurse’s legal responsibilities of medication
administration.
 Utilize holistic nursing care considerations when preparing and administering for
medications incorporating nursing process.
 Differentiate between practical nursing and other healthcare discipline responsibilities.
 Utilize communication and delegation skills as appropriate to the practical nursing scope
of practice.
 Apply medications administration principles as it relates to health, illness and culturally
diverse populations.
 Describe and demonstrate techniques and considerations when preparing and
administering medications to different ages through the lifespan.
 Utilize and incorporate other first semester course knowledge as it applies to
pharmacology concepts.
Course Teaching Requirements: The following should be followed by all instructors teaching
this course (online and in the traditional setting).
 The student will be required to pass a basic math skills exam to meet the objectives and
proceed throughout the rest of this course. On a selected date a basic math skills exam
will be administered during the regularly scheduled class period. If the student scores
below a 76% on this exam, they will have one additional attempt to pass the exam. A
second basic math exam will be administered on a designated date in the nursing
classroom. If the student does not meet this requirement of 76% or greater on the second
basic math exam, he/she will receive an F in the course regardless of subsequent exam
scores and will be required to retake pharmacology I in its entirety. If the student passes
the second basic math exam they may continue in the pharmacology I course. However,
the pharmacology I average will reflect the exam score made on the 1st basic math exam.
 It is not necessary to cover all chapters in the book. The lead instructor will provide a
reading assignment for the course.
 The Medication Administration Check-off must be satisfactory for course completion. A
76% or greater must be made on this portion of the course to proceed into the next
semester courses. If a 75% or below in this portion of the course is made regardless of
the overall average, the student will be required to complete the medication check-off
process of the course again (at the availability of the instructor). The student will receive
one additional attempt to complete the check-off successfully. If they still do not meet
the requirement the student will receive an F in the course and be required to retake
pharmacology I in its entirety. If the student is successful at the re-attempt he/she will
receive the grade made prior to the re-attempt in their average for the course grade. If the
student has an overall average below 72% they will be required to retake Pharmacology I.
The student must successfully check off on medication administration before progressing
into the next semester courses and giving medications in the clinical site.
 The final exam must have a comprehensive component, must count for at least 33% of
the course grade and must be proctored. To calculate grades: 33% comes from daily
course work and/or exams and 33% of grade comes from Medication Administration
check-off (requires 76%) (70% of check-off grade from lab sim and 30% from
paperwork.)
Assessment Responsibilities: Instructors teaching this course (online and traditional) will be
expected to participate in assessment activities as dictated by the division. You will be given
further information/instructions by the lead instructor during the term assessments are to be
completed.
Advanced Technology and Allied Health Division Contact Information:
Division Director: Keith McClanahan, 501-882-8811, [email protected]
Program Director: Gail Burton, 501-207-6235, [email protected]
Lead Instructor: Cindy Smith, 501-207-6255, [email protected]