FARMA2400 Drug Calculations Course description

Passed the first year of the programme.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has knowledge of the key concepts in drug calculations
• has knowledge of the role of drug calculations as part of drug administration and how this system is regulated by acts and regulations

Skills

The student

• masters drug calculations in that he/she is capable of: s
  • using international standards and unitary systems in drug calculations
  • calculating dosages, strengths or amounts
  • calculating injection and infusion rate (dr/min and ml/hr)
  • calculating timing of dosage distribution over a specified time interval, within a specified time period
  • calculating ordinary doses in ml or drops per time unit (0.125 mg/ml or 0.15 ml/kg/min)
  • calculating prescribed dosages in relation to body weight (in kg or body surface in m2)
  • calculating the dilution of drugs in liquid form or the dilution of drugs added to solutions to be given as injections/infusions
  • is capable of assessing and controlling their own and others' calculations

The work and teaching methods in the course entail student-active work and teaching methods in addition to lectures.

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

• Passed qualifying arithmetic problems in the form of multiple choice questions by a set deadline before the exam.  

The student has up to three attempts to have this requirement approved before the ordinary exam, and up to three further attempts before a resit/rescheduled exam.

If a student takes more than one academic year to take the exam after the required coursework is approved, the faculty can order the student to repeat previously approved compulsory coursework before the student is allowed to take the exam in the course.

Exam content: The learning outcomes.

Exam form: Individual written exam, 3 hours.

To pass the exam, the student must submit a faultless answer paper.

The student has three attempts at the exam. If the student does not pass the exam at the third attempt, he/she can apply for a fourth and final attempt.

Calculator handed out by OsloMet.

Pass/fail.

All the papers will be assessed by an internal examiner.