Medication Dosage and Administration

This unit develops competence in reading medication labels, applying safe dispensation and documentation practices, and mastering core calculation methods for both oral and parenteral dosing. It builds on foundational measurement and safety concepts from earlier units and prepares students for advanced clinical calculations and IV therapy in subsequent units.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze medication labels, package inserts, and patient identifiers to identify correct drug, strength, route, expiration, and potential safety risks according to the rights of medication administration
• Apply proper medical documentation and dispensation protocols by completing medication administration records (MARs), recording conversions and lot/expiration details, and communicating medication changes in simulated clinical scenarios
• Demonstrate mastery of calculation methods—dimensional analysis, ratio-proportion, and formula-based approaches—to compute accurate doses, perform unit conversions, and solve concentration/dilution problems
• Perform accurate oral and parenteral medication calculations and evaluate dosage preparations for safety by selecting appropriate syringes/devices, calculating volumes for tablets/capsules/liquids and injections, and verifying preparations with established double-check procedures