VETS 115 - Medical Math for Vet Techs

Credit Hours: 1
Lecture Hours: 1
Laboratory Hours: 0

Prerequisite(s): Enrollment in Veterinary Science Program

Restriction(s): None

Corequisite(s): None

This course is designed to present the broad spectrum of information commonly referred to as posology, which is defined as the study of dose and dosage in the field of applied pharmacology. This broad spectrum ranges from basic mathematics, elementary algebra, measurements, drug orders, and dose calculations to other calculations. The goal of this course is that each student be confident and capable of calculating correct drug doses regardless of the physical form of the medication.

Student Learning Outcomes of the Course: By the end of the course the student should demonstrate proficiency in:

Understanding and solving simple arithmetic problems, including fractions and decimals, with or without a calculator.
Organizing an equation and calculate an unknown variable accurately.
Demonstrating the ability to convert given measurements between American Standard, household, apothecary, and metric measurement systems.
Understanding the components of a drug regimen, including pharmacological abbreviations.
Interpreting a dose label accurately.
Calculating drug doses accurately based on given drug regimen components, as well as the physical form of the drug (i.e. liquid, pills.)
Calculating dilutions.
Calculating intravenous fluid infusion rates.