Nursing Calculations and IV Foundations

This 0.25 Carnegie Unit develops foundational mathematical and clinical skills required for safe medication administration and introductory IV therapy. Students practice metric, fraction, percentage, and mole/millimole calculations; learn drug-safety checks, vital-sign monitoring, injection and venepuncture basics, IV access concepts, infection control (including ANTT), and recognition of adverse reactions.

Learning Objectives

• Apply metric, fractional, percentage, and mole/millimole conversions and calculations to accurately determine oral medication doses, IV medication doses, and infusion rates.
• Demonstrate safe medication administration procedures by performing multi-check drug safety steps, calculating and verifying dosages, and interpreting vital signs to inform dosing decisions.
• Demonstrate proper aseptic technique and infection-control practices, including the Aseptic Non-Touch Technique (ANTT), and correct handling of IV access devices and venepuncture fundamentals to minimize infection risk.
• Analyze patient-specific factors (age, pain, allergies, blood type, and legal/ethical considerations) to select appropriate IV methods, anticipate potential complications, and recommend preventive or corrective actions.