Spring 2019 Course Syllabus
Course: VNSG-1227- Section: 01
Essentials of Medication Administration 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Carolyn Brown
E-mailbrownc1@lamarpa.edu
Phone(409) 984-6368
Office
Location:Allied Health - Room: 129
Hours:As posted and by appointment
Department
Allied Health
Chair:Shirley MacNeill
E-mail:macneisb@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6365
Course Information
Description General principles of medication administration including determination of dosage, preparation, safe administration, and documentation of multiple forms of drugs. Instruction includes various systems of measurement.
Prerequisites BIO 2401 & BIO 2402 Human Anatomy and Physiology
NURA 1301 Nurse Aide for Health Care Organizations I             
NURA 1160 Clinical (VN 1410)
To graduate from the VN program it is required that you must complete either, Business Computer Information Systems (BCIS 1305), or Introduction to Computers (ITSC 1401) prior to graduation.    
Students must have a minimum grade of “C” or better in every course that applies to the VN Program Certificate plan to graduate.    
Learning Outcomes In accordance with the mission of LSC-PA, VNSG 1227 Essentials of Medication Administration assists the student to develop the particular skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for success as a vocational nurse. Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:    

1. Demonstrate accurate dosage calculation.(PSLO Alpha; PSLO 2; PSLO 3)
2.    Discuss safe medication administration.(PSLO Alpha; PSLO 2; PSLO 3)    
3.    Correctly interpret provider’s orders and medication administration records (MAR). (PSLO Alpha; PSLO 1; PSLO 3; PSLO 4)     
4.     Accurately document medication administration.(PSLO Alpha; PSLO 1; PSLO 3)
5.    Explain procedure for obtaining medication’s from pharmacy.(PSLO Alpha; PSLO 1; PSLO 3; PSLO 4)
Core Objectives Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and visual communication.
Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions.
Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts.
Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view.
Social Responsibility: Students will demonstrate intercultural competency and civic knowledge by engaging effectively in local, regional, national and/or global communities.
Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.
Program Student Learning Outcomes PSLO ALPHA: Reading skills - Demonstrates comprehension of content-area reading material.
Upon completion of the Vocational Nursing Program graduates will, under the supervision of a professional licensed nurse and/or licensed physician, function in non-complex settings and should be able to:

1.    Function within the legal, ethical and regulatory standards of the nursing profession.
2.    Use a systematic problem-solving process in the care of multiple patients who have predictable health care needs to provide safe, individualized, goal-directed nursing care.
3.    Adopt an approach to nursing practice that promotes safety for patients, significant others, self, and members of the healthcare team.
4.    Cooperate with members of the interdisciplinary health care team to provide optimum, evidence-based, safe, care to patients.
Textbooks Ogden, S.J. & Fluharty, L.K. (2016). Dosage Calculations (10th ed.). St. Louis: Elsevier
Mosby ISBN: 9780323310697
Lecture Topics
Outline		 Week 1: Syllabus, Pre-test, Region V Pre-testing & Orientation
Week 2: Systems of Measurement, Conversions (Metric System)
Week 3: Exam I
Week 4: Equipment Used in Dosage Measurement, Interpreting Drug Orders, Understanding Drug Labels
Week 5: Exam II
Week 6: Preventing Medication Errors, Begin Oral Dosage Of Drugs, Reading MAR
Week 7: Exam III
Week 8: Parenteral Dosage of Drugs, Unit Measurements, Reconstitution of Solutions
Week 9: Review Parenteral Dosage and Reconstitution
Week 10: Exam IV
Week 11: Intravenous Calculations
Week 12: Pediatric Dosages
Week 13: Review of Intravenous and Pediatric Calculations
Week 14: Exam V
Week 15: Region V Post-test
Week 16: Final Exam
Major Assignments
Schedule
Date: 09/12/2018 Exam I Time: 12:00
Date: 09/26/2018 Exam II Time: 12:00
Date: 10/10/2018 Exam III Time: 12:00
Date: 10/31/2018 Exam IV Time: 12:00
Date: 11/28/2018 Exam V Time: 12:00
Final Exam Date May 14, 2019 - 8:00 AM   Through  May 14, 2019 - 11:00 AM
Grading Scale 90-100 = A 80-89 = B 75-79 = C 60-74 = D Below 60 = F
Determination of
Final Grade		 1.    Examinations are based on course objectives.
2.    Course content from pre-requisite courses will be included on exams, as appropriate.
3.    This course consists of a lab section where students are able to apply principles of medication safety learned in theory. Students are highly encouraged to participate in lab sessions, ask questions and perform practice exercises to ensure comprehension of content and readiness for exams.
4.    No hat or hoodies may be worn during exams. No hats/caps/hoodies/smart watches/personal possessions other than keys, earbuds, and a pencil may be brought in to the exam.
5.    No make-up unit exams are given. The numerical grade attained on the Comprehensive Final exam is substituted for any missed unit exam(s); providing the student has followed proper protocol in reporting absence.
6.    Students who arrive after the exam starts, but before it ends may take the exam without penalty, however, they will not be allowed additional time. If a student must miss an exam, s/he must contact the instructor prior to the exam or within twenty-four (24) hours of the exam. A “no-call/no-show” for an exam will result in a grade of “0”.
7.    Test grades will not be available for a minimum of 24 hours post test.
8.    Evaluation of Examinations: After each exam, the faculty uses psychometric principles to evaluate the examination. Items missed by 50% or more of the class are reviewed. If an item is found to be flawed, the faculty may give credit for more than one answer or nullify the item. When an item is nullified, the key is changed so that all answers are credited as correct. That is, if a student answered the item as originally keyed, the student will retain the credit for the item. If a student’s answer differs from the one originally keyed, the student is credited for the nullified item. In other words, everyone gets credit for the item and no one loses credit.
9.    If a student scores less than a “75” on a unit examination, the student is required to make an appointment with an instructor prior to the next examination. At that time, the student and instructor will review the examination and, with the assistance of the instructor, identify strategies to improve performance on subsequent examinations.
10.    Any challenge to exam questions must be presented in writing, with documentation, within one (1) week of the review of the exam. Disputed exam items must be submitted by the student along with proposed answer supported by documentation from the current textbook, handouts, and/or lecture reference material.
11. A Comprehensive Final Exam must be taken and is weighted equivalent to two (2) unit exams.
12.    Any assignment or exam submitted without a student’s name will not receive credit. The following method will be used to determine each student’s grade in the course:
Exam I        Grade
Exam II        Grade
Exam III        Grade
Exam IV        Grade
Exam V Grade
Final        Grade
Final        Grade
Total/7=Grade
A minimum average of 75% in VNSG 1227 independent of all other requirements is necessary to pass the course.
Course Policies
Instructor Policies •    Lamar State College – Port Arthur (LSCPA) is a no smoking campus. Use of tobacco products is prohibited on all LSCPA properties at any time. This includes all clinical facilities.
•    Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission.
•    Electronic devices (including but not restricted to cell phones, “smart” watches, MP3 players, and laptop computers) shall not be used during examinations unless specifically allowed by the instructor.
•    Use of electronic devices during normal class hours distracts other students, disrupts the class, and wastes valuable time. Instructors have an obligation to reduce such disruptions.
•    Students should turn their phones to vibrate before they enter the classroom.
•    No cell phones should be visible during class.
Attendance Policy
Research has shown a cause and effect relationship between attendance and college success. Policies for this course are described below:
1. Because poor attendance is a leading reason for termination from a job in all areas of employment, attendance at all scheduled classes is expected.
2. A student who is absent from course activities for more than three (3) days without notification to faculty may be dropped from the program by the Program Director.
3. Late arrival to class is disruptive. Students who consistently arrive after the beginning of the class (2 or more times) will be counseled and a plan of corrective action determined. Class will begin promptly at the scheduled time. Students who arrive fifteen (15) minutes after the beginning of class should not enter the classroom and should wait until break to enter.
4. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the instructor of any absence. If the student is unable to contact the instructor(s), the student should call 409-984-6356 or 1-800-477-5872 ext. 6356. The student should also email the faculty or call the faculty office and leave a voicemail.
5. In addition to notifying an instructor, students must submit a Student Excuse Form, upon the first day of return, each time the student is absent, delayed from attending or must depart early from class, clinical or lab. Failure to complete the Student Excuse Form will result in a declaration of a ‘No Call, No Show’ for the number of days absent and may result in the student being dismissed from the program.
6. Class is scheduled to begin at 12:00 pm unless otherwise stated.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSC-PA policies (Section IX, subsection A, in the Faculty Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
Facility Policies
  1. No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom.

  2. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission.

  3. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
Important Information
ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the the Office for Disability Services Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
MyLamarPA Be sure to check your campus E-mail and Course Homepage using MyLamarPA campus web portal (My.LamarPA.edu). When you've logged in, click the email icon in the upper right-hand corner to check email, or click on the "My Courses" tab to get to your Course Homepage. Click the link to your course and review the information presented. It is important that you check your email and Course Homepage regularly. You can also access your grades, transcripts, and determine who your academic advisor is by using MyLamarPA.
Other
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSC-PA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.