Course Description
This is a one semester course for students in Veterinary Technology. Topics covered include: calculations involving fractions, decimals and percentages, scientific notation, ratio and proportion, dimensional analysis, clinical applications, measurement systems, dosage calculations for oral and parenteral medication, calculations for creating solutions such as intravenous fluids, constant rate infusions and dilutions with applications in anaesthesia, radiology and nutrition.
Course Content
- Fractions, decimals, percentages and scientific notation.
- Ratio and proportion – dimensional analysis.
- Measurement systems.
- Dosage applications and creation of solutions.
- Intravenous fluid calculations
- Clinical applications using dilutions
- Anaesthesia, radiology and nutrition applications.
Means of Assessment
Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based upon some of the following:
| Weekly tests |
0-40% |
| Term tests |
20-70% |
| Assignments |
0-5% |
| Attendance |
0-5% |
| Class participation |
0-5% |
| Final examination |
30% |
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course, the successful student will have reviewed and strengthened their arithmetic and mathematical skills and have a level of mathematical proficiency which will allow them to continue to take courses in the VTEC degree program.
Upon completion of this course, the successful student should be able to:
- perform calculations involving fractions, decimals and percentages
- convert between fractions, decimals and percentages
- perform calculations involving the use of scientific notation
- work with ratios and proportions
- use conversion factors and dimensional analysis
- convert values within the metric system
- convert values from other measurement systems to the metric system
- perform dosage calculations for oral and parenteral medications
- work with percent calculations to create proper medication solutions based upon concentration of drug and animal weight
- perform the calculations required to create single-ingredient solutions, mixed solutions and weaker solutions from stock solutions
- solve clinical problems involving calculations of solutions
- calculate rates of fluid administration for intravenous administration
- determine how to calculate flow and drip rates for intravenous solutions and understand the mathematics required to operate fluid administration sets and intravenous pumps
- define constant rate infusion and be able to determine rates of drug infusion as well as the amount of drug to add to fluids
- determine the final concentration in a dilution
- perform the calculations required for both dilution series and serial dilutions
- calculate anaesthesia gas flow rates
- calculate nutritional requirements
- perform calculations required for radiology
Textbook Materials
Textbook will vary by semester, see College Bookstore for current textbook. Example:
Lake and Green, Essential Calculations for Veterinary Nurses and Technicians, current edition, Elsevier.