TECH159-0708 : Basic Medical Calculations

INSTRUCTOR:
Elizabeth Warren, RVT

DATES:
July 28-September 4, 2008
Real Time Sessions: Monday evenings, August 4, 11, 18, and 25, 2008; 7:00pm-8:30pm ET (USA)

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This six-hour skills development course reviews the fundamentals of math and is designed to help students learn to work through the types of calculations frequently performed by veterinary technicians and assistants in veterinary practice. There will be a review of basic math concepts and an introduction to the formulas and skills necessary to solve drug and fluid dosage problems.

Elizabeth Warren is an RVT and instructor at Austin Community College, where she teaches first-year courses to veterinary assistant and technician students, including medical calculations. She also works part-time in a veterinary emergency hospital and has been a VSPN staff member since 2001 and is a regular contributor to the VSPN Notebook�.

Upon completion of this course, the participant should be able to

• perform basic mathematical calculations to include: working with decimal numbers and fractions, using ratio and proportion, and solving single-variable algebraic equations.
• convert between metric, apothecary and household measuring units.
• correctly use metric, apothecary, and household measuring systems to calculate medication and fluid dosages.
• calculate dosages for oral and parenteral drugs and fluids.
• understand the principles of fluid delivery systems and accurately determine infusion rates.

TEXTBOOK: There is no required text for this course:
However, the instructor recommends participants have at least one of the following:

• Veterinary Support Personnel Network (2007). VSPN Notebook�. Online (Free) at: https://www.vin.com/Members/VSPN/Library/Misc/VSPN_M02373.htm or purchase ($55) from the VIN Store: https://store.vin.com/custom/edit.asp?p=99697
• Flansburg, S. & Hay, V. (2004). Math Magic, Revised Edition: How to Master Every Day Math Problems. HarperCollins Children's Books. ISBN-13: 9780060726355. Available from http://www.amazon.com or http://www.barnesandnoble.com
• NOTE: VT and VA program students may use any required mathematical calculation text if they have it available already.

COURSE OUTLINE:

Week 1: Math assessment and review of decimal numbers, fractions, and percentages
We will discuss the pre-course math assessment quiz as well as math anxiety, and I will share some tips and tricks that can help make math less stressful. Then we will talk about and work with decimals, fractions, and percentages.

Week 2: Solving for "X" and systems of measurement
The second week will cover common systems of measurement, commonly used units of measurement, and converting from one unit to another using the principles of basic algebra.

Week 3: Dosage calculations
We will now determine oral and parenteral drug dosages using the skills developed in weeks one and two.

Week 4: IV fluid calculations
In the last week we will determine fluid dosages and learn how to calculate drip rates, determine infusion times and calculate completion times.

LIBRARY MATERIALS: Library materials will be made available prior to the topic week so participants will have plenty of time to prepare for the real time sessions and discussion.

MESSAGE BOARD DISCUSSIONS: Message board discussions regarding the topic presented will begin on the day the course opens and continue for one week following the last real time session. These discussions will be held in the VSPN CE course area.

CE HOURS: 6

TUITION:
$117 ($105.00 early bird special if registered before July 14, 2008).
*Students currently enrolled in and taking at least 2 classes or 5 units at an AVMA accredited or CAAHT approved Veterinary Technician Program may be eligible to receive a 50% discount off the regular rate for this course (upon verification of student status). You must include the following information in the comments section of the CE enrollment form in order to be eligible for this discount: your program director's name and contact information (email/phone) and school name.

** NOTE: Registration will be closed when the maximum number of participants is reached or at 5pm ET the day of the first real time session.

** Minimal computer requirements for participating in VSPN and VPSNCE

** Click on "How To's of Online CE" and "Polices & Procedures" for more on how our online CE works

TO REGISTER:

1. Each person must individually be a registered member of VSPN (www.vspn.org). Membership in VSPN is free.
2. To enroll in any VSPN CE course click on the ENROLL NOW link below the course title on the right side of the page at www.vspn.org/CE
3. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. This is our major form of communication with participants. It is highly recommended that course participants use their own, personal emails rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
4. VIN Member veterinarians SHOULD NOT register for their staff. Please have the staff member register through VSPN. Please email VSPNCE@vspn.org if you have questions.

Note: "This course has been submitted (but not yet approved) for 6 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB RACE approval; however participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of delivery of continuing education. Call VSPN CE at 1-800-700-4636 for further information." (Attendees are encouraged to check with their licensing jurisdiction(s) for information regarding recognition by their board).

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COURSE WITHDRAWAL AND REFUND POLICY: Withdrawal prior to the listed start date of a course entitles the registrant to a complete refund or a credit toward a future VSPN or VIN CE course, whichever is preferred. Withdrawal within 1 week after the listed start date (i.e. including no more than one real-time session) entitles the registrant to a credit toward any future VIN CE course. (Does not apply to courses with only one real-time session.) After the first real-time session, a registrant may withdraw due to special circumstances and receive prorated credit towards a future VIN course. These requests will be handled on an individual basis. The amount of the prorated credit will be determined based on 65% of the time remaining in the course at the time of withdrawal. It is not possible to withdraw retroactively.
Note: To ensure rapid handling of your request for withdrawal, we recommend that you call the VIN office at 1-800-700-INFO (4636).

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** For More Information on VSPN's upcoming CE Courses, check out http://www.VSPN.org/CE

Nanette R. Walker Smith, M.Ed., RVT, CVT, LVT
VSPN Content Director & CE Coordinator
VSPNCE@vspn.org
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-297-4950, ext 187

Charlotte Waack (Charlotte@vspn.org), ext 193
Chris Upchurch (Chris@vspn.org); ext 197 VSPN CE Services
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-297-4950

[ CE MAIN | COURSE CATALOG | RACE/GETTING CREDITS | ONLINE CE HOW TO | SUGGEST A COURSE | VIN MAIN ]

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800.700.4636  |  CEonVIN@vin.com  |  530.756.4881  |  Fax: 530.756.6035 777 West Covell Blvd, Davis, CA 95616 Copyright 2000, Veterinary Information Network, Inc.