Skagit Valley College

Catalog Course Search Details

 Course Title:   Math for Health Professions

 Title Abbreviation:   MATH HEALTH PROFESSIONS

 Department:    HMATH

 Course #:    100

 Credits:    5

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    5

 CIP:    511613

 EPC:    326

 REV:    2019


 Course Description  

This course is non-transferrable and for health profession students only. Estimation and practical problem solving techniques explored through lecture, discussion and computer work. Topics include: medical abbreviations; conversions using metric, household, apothecary units and scientific notations; percentages; calculation of body statistics; medication dosages and intravenous flow rates.

 Prerequisite  

Prerequisite: MATH 96 with a grade of C or better or appropriate test score.

Additional Course Details

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 55

Lab: 0

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0


Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Vocational Preparatory N/A  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Other Institution Equivalencies Table
Institution Course # Remarks
N/A

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Solve problems involving integers, fractions, percents and decimal numbers.
  2. Use estimation and problem-solving strategies to check the reasonableness of calculated results.
  3. Learn vocabulary, measurement units and make conversions between the Household, Apothecary and the metric measurement systems.
  4. Solve practical problems involving linear equations in one unknown. (eg. Temp conversions)
  5. Solve practical problems involving direct and inverse variation. (eg. tube feedings conversions)
  6. Solve practical problems involving roots and radicals. (eg. body statistics conversions)
  7. Solve practical problems involving scientific exponential notations.
  8. Use basic mathematical skills to solve practical problems arising in occupational clusters.
    • Calculate the preparation of oral doses based on strength, weight, and BSA.
    • Calculate the preparation or strength of percentage solutions.
    • Calculate the Intramuscular injection doses from vials, ampules and powders.
    • Calculate the rate of flow and run time for Intravenous solutions, enteral medications and tube feedings.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

Course Contents

  1. Review of decimals, percents, ratio and proportions.
  2. Introduction of medical abbreviations and medical equivalents.
  3. Estimation techniques and dimensional analysis.
  4. Reintroduce household, scientific, time and apothecary systems of measurement.
  5. Introduction of metric system of measurement for solids, liquids, temperatures and lengths.
  6. Converting amounts from one system to another: volume, weight, time and temperature.
  7. Use equations and formulas to compute then measure oral and parenteral medications.
  8. Calculate the preparation or strength of percentage solutions.
  9. Compute body statistics using exponents and radicals.
  10. Understand how to safely adjust medications based on age, weight, percent change or BSA.
  11. Prepare and compute dosages from vials, ampules and powders.
  12. Calculate the rate of flow and run time for infusions, enteral medications and tube feedings.