IV Therapy and Medication Calculations

This unit develops competence in medication dose calculations, IV setup and infusion management, and safe administration practices including blood transfusions and central line considerations. It builds on basic calculation and pharmacology foundations and prepares students for advanced clinical practicum and complex patient care scenarios.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze physician orders, prescription charts, and metric conversions to accurately calculate medication dosages, millilitres to draw, and ratio-based preparations.
• Apply IV therapy principles to prepare and initiate infusions, calculate and set infusion pump rates, and titrate medications by body weight (including insulin and heparin) according to protocols.
• Demonstrate correct selection and use of injection and IV equipment, aseptic technique, central line access considerations, and safe blood transfusion procedures, including recognition and initial management of anaphylaxis.
• Evaluate patient monitoring data, fluid charts, and documentation to detect adverse responses, perform organ/system-related calculations, and adjust or escalate therapy following clinical and safety standards.