Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

The purpose of this course is to teach the veterinary technology student the fundamentals of pharmaceutical mathematics.    This is designed for first year veterinary technology students and is a graduation requirement for the Associates Degree in Applied Sciences in Veterinary Technology.  Credits in this course are not transferable to a four year school towards a baccalaureate degree. No text is required for this course.

Upon successful completion of the course, the short term outcome will be that the student will have satisfactorily accomplished the goals and objectives of this course content and outcome guide and confirmed as provided in the assessment above.  The long term outcome desired is for the student to gain sufficient knowledge of Pharmaceutical Mathematics to successfully pass the National Veterinary Technician Board Examination and effectively utilize the knowledge gained in their Cooperative Education Experience and as a practicing veterinary technician upon graduation.  The course content guides are developed by college-wide subject area faculty and approved by management.

1. Dosage calculations and conversions 
Instructional Goal:
The goal is for the student to develop a proficient working knowledge of calculating drug dosages and converting between units of the metric, apothecaries and household systems using the label factor method (dimensional analysis).

Objectives:
Review basic math as it applies to the metric system.
Define units and abbreviations
Know approximate equivalents
Define and perform the steps in applying the label factor method to conversion between metric,  apothecaries and household systems.
Be able to convert between Celsius and Fahrenheit temperature.
Be able to calculate drug dosages in dry or liquid measure based on body weight.

2. Forms and equipment used in dosage measurement
Instructional Goal:
The goal is for the student to develop a proficient working knowledge of drug forms and equipment used in drug measurement.

Objectives:  
Define the following terms
Describe the following methods and equipment used in medicating animals by oral and parenteral  administration.  

3. Drug Labels, Prescriptions and interpreting drug orders 
Instructional Goal:  
The goal is for the student to become proficient at reading drug labels and interpreting drug orders as well as create labels for veterinary client use.

Objectives:
Describe the following parts of a drug label  
Describe how a veterinarian writes drug orders and how to interpret  it as well as create a label  in a form a client can understand.  
Define symbols and abbreviations used in prescription writing.  
Describe how to read and write a prescription and it’s component  parts.

4. Solutions and Percentages
Instructional Goal:  
The goal is for the student to develop a proficient working knowledge of calculating percentages of solutions for diluting and mixing purposes.  

Objectives:  
Define and calculate the percentage of solutions, the volume of  concentrate or the volume of  diluent using the formula method. 4.2  Define each of the following terms as they relate  to percentage  solutions.  
Be able to perform percentage calculations by alligation alternate  (Pearson square) and  alligation medial methods.  

5. Fluid therapy 
Instructional Goal:  
The goal is for the student to develop a proficient working knowledge of basic use of fluids in veterinary practice as well as calculate the amount and rate of fluid administration.  

Objectives:  
List the indications for administering fluid therapy.  
Define and understand the advantages and disadvantages of each of the  following routes of fluid  administration.   
Define and list the reasons the following fluids may be used.   
Define and calculate the amount of fluid needed to rehydrate, maintain  and replace ongoing  losses in a dehydrated animal.  
List and understand the use of the following equipment  
Calculate the IV flow rate when the total infusion time or infusion  rate is specified using the  formula method.             

This course is designed to be a lecture course.  It is a one-credit-hour course that meets for one-lecture hour per week.   The topics this course will cover is unit conversions, solutions and percentage calculations, alligation, drug dosage calculations basic fluid therapy.

Grades will be based on the student’s understanding of the course content as demonstrated by a midterm, homework assignments, one comprehensive final exam, and by attendance.  To receive a passing grade, the student must have attended a minimum of 80 percent of each of the lecture classes.