Course Overview

General principles of medication administration including determination of dosage, preparation, safe administration, and documentation of multiple forms of drugs. Instruction includes various systems of measurement.

Instructor: Lois Holmes

Email: holmesll@lamarpa.edu

Phone: 409-984-6359

Office Hours: Posted and by Appointment

Additional Contact Information:

General principles of medication administration including determination of dosage, preparation, safe administration, and documentation of multiple forms of drugs. Instruction includes various systems of measurement.

 Ogden, S.J. & Fluharty, L.K. (2019). Calculation of Drug Dosages (13th ed.). St. Louis: Elsevier ISBN: 978032382622-8

Lippincott CoursePoint for Dosage Calculation: Your Course ID is: 23YDE5UW93VD

Any Computer program must be accessed using your LSCPA email unless otherwise instructed. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they are enrolled in the proper courses for Course Point, PassPoint, Evolve HESI, and VSims. Instructors will not allow submissions to be turned in from a previous course.

NOTE: We will be utilizing the access codes from the new books, purchasing an older version may result in the student being unsuccessful in computer assignments.

Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

BIO 2301/2101 & BIO 2302/2102 Human Anatomy and Physiology  

NURA 1301 Nurse Aide for Health Care Organizations I      

NURA 1160 Clinical (VN 1410)  

Admission to the Vocational Nursing Program   

To graduate from the VN program it is required that you must complete Lifespan Growth and Development (PSYC 2314) prior to graduation.

Students must have a minimum grade of “C” or better in every course that applies to the VN Program Certificate plan to graduate.

In accordance with the mission of LSC-PA, VNSG 1227 Essentials of Medication Administration assists the student to develop the particular skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for success as a vocational nurse. Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:

1.  Demonstrate accurate dosage calculation. (PSLO 2; PSLO 3)

2. Discuss safe medication administration. (PSLO 2; PSLO 3)

3. Correctly interpret provider’s orders and medication administration records (MAR). (PSLO 1; PSLO 3; PSLO 4)

4. Accurately document medication administration. (PSLO 1; PSLO 3)

5. Explain procedure for obtaining medications from pharmacy. (PSLO 1; PSLO 3; PSLO 4)

Upon completion of the Vocational Nursing Program graduates will, under the supervision of a professional licensed nurse and/or licensed physician, function in non-complex settings and should be able to:

PSLO 1. Functions within the Scope of Practice for a Vocational Nurse.

PSLO 2. Demonstrates safe, direct patient care with individuals who have predictable health care needs.

PSLO 3. Exhibits professional nursing behaviors.

PSLO 4. Cooperates with members of the interdisciplinary health care team to provide evidence-based care.

Week 1: Syllabus

Week 2: Systems of Measurement, Conversions (Metric System)

Week 3: Exam I

Week 4: Equipment Used in Dosage Measurement, Interpreting Drug Orders, Understanding Drug Labels

Week 5: Exam II 

Week 6: Preventing Medication Errors, Begin Oral Dosage of Drugs, Reading MAR

Week 7: Exam III

Week 8: Parenteral Dosage of Drugs, Unit Measurements, Reconstitution of Solutions

Week 9: Review Parenteral Dosage of Drugs, Unit Measurements, Reconstitution of Solutions

Week 10: Exam IV

Week 11: Intravenous Calculations

Week 12: Pediatric Dosages

Week 13: Review of Intravenous and Pediatric Calculations

Week 14: Thanksgiving

Week 15: Comprehensive Review

Week 16: Final Exam

Date: 09/06/26  Course Point Assignments Due @ 1159 PM

Date: 09/09/2026   Exam I                         Time: 0830

Date: 09/20/26  Course Point Assignments Due @ 1159 PM

Date: 09/23/2026   Exam II                         Time: 0830

Date: 10/04/26  Course Point Assignments Due @ 1159 PM

Date: 10/07/2026   Exam III                        Time: 0830

Date: 10/25/26  Course Point Assignments Due @ 1159 PM

Date: 10/28/2026   Exam IV                        Time: 0830

Date: 11/29/26  Course Point Assignments Due @ 1159 PM

Date: 12/02/2026   Exam V                         Time: 0830

Date:  12/09/2026   Final Exam                      Time: 1230

December 09, 2026 at 0830.

90-100 = A    80-89 = B    75-79 = C    60-74 = D   Below 60 = F

The following method will be used to determine each student’s grade in the course:

Exam I Grade

Exam II Grade

Exam III Grade

Exam IV Grade

Exam V                                     Grade

Final Grade

Final Grade

Test Grades                                  95%

Classroom and Computer assignments          5%

A minimum average of 75% in VNSG 1227 independent of all other requirements is necessary to pass the course. No grades will be rounded until the final course average; this includes weighted exam average.

Assignment grades will not be averaged into the final grade until till the finial grade average is 75% or better.

If the student is unsuccessful in VNSG 1227 or any other VNSG course they are required to repeat VNSG 1227 along with all other VNSG Level 1 courses (VNSG 1231; VNSG 1400; VNSG 1261; VNSG 1204).

Additional classroom policies include:

Students and faculty of the Lamar State College-Port Arthur Vocational Nursing Program are expected to assist in maintaining a classroom environment that is conducive to learning. To assure that faculty have the opportunity to teach and students have the opportunity to benefit from time spent in class, unless otherwise approved by the instructor, students are prohibited from engaging in distracting classroom behavior:

1.      I understand that promptness is expected. I will be on time for the beginning of all classes and will return from breaks promptly.

2.      I understand that I am expected to come to theory and lab experiences prepared and present myself as a sincere, adult learner.

3.      I will return phone calls and/or text messages only during scheduled breaks.

4.      I will keep cell phones on vibrate in classroom and off and out of reach during testing and test reviews. In the event of an emergency, your family should contact you through AH Secretary, VN Coordinator, or Department Chair.

5.      I agree that on-campus computers will only be used for classroom work.

6.      I agree that all information shared by other students and instructors will remain confidential.

7.      I will not repeat or discuss what is shared with anyone.

8.      I agree that I will not engage in ‘side-bar’ discussions.

9.      I agree that I will direct my comments to the front of the room.

10.  I agree to participate in all discussions, activities, and exercises.

11.  I agree to be open to new ideas and experiences.

12.  I agree to take risks and step outside of my comfort zone.

13.  I agree to maintain a positive attitude.

14.  I agree to give supportive feedback and make corrections without belittling anyone.

15.  I agree to suspend judgment and be responsible for my actions.

16.  I agree to be responsible for learning as much as I can from this experience.

17.  I agree to ask for what I need from my instructors.

18.  I agree to get better acquainted with my fellow students so we can all identify ways to support one another, work together as a team and develop professionally.

19.  I agree to follow the guidelines and policies in the LSC-PA Vocational Nursing Student Handbook.

Should I be unable to maintain these expectations or stated program requirements, dismissal from the program may occur.

The following behaviors will result in the student being asked to cease the action and/or leave the classroom:

·         Inappropriate and/or disruptive use of cell phones or other electronics devices in classroom

·         talking or sleeping while the instructor is giving instructions or during class discussions/presentations

·         displaying a rude or negative attitude/behavior to the instructor or other students 

Should I be unable to maintain these expectations or stated program requirements, dismissal from the program may occur.

Calculator Usage:

1.       Use of a BASIC FUNCTION CALCULATOR is allowed with the following exceptions

a.   Calculator/cell phone combinations (cell phones are prohibited)

b.   Programmable calculators.

Calculators not specifically covered by this section shall not be allowed without express consent of the instructor.

This course may consist of online & in class lectures, labs, and assignments. Schedules may be changed at the discretion of the faculty and vocational nursing coordinator. All attendance policies are in effect whether conducted online or in the classroom setting. Research has shown a cause-and-effect relationship between attendance and college success. Policies for this course are described below: 

 Because poor attendance is a leading reason for termination from a job in all areas of employment, attendance at all scheduled classes is expected.

1.   A student who is absent from course activities for more than three (3) days

    without notification to the faculty may be dropped from the program by the    

    Program Director. Students on campus but not in class are considered absent.

    Students who do not attend scheduled live virtual activities will be counted 

    absent.

2.   Late arrival to class is disruptive. Students who consistently arrive after the

    beginning of the class (3 or more times) will be counseled and a plan of 

    corrective action determined. Class will begin promptly at the scheduled time.

    Students who arrive fifteen (15) minutes after the beginning of class should 

    not enter the classroom and should wait until break to enter. 

3.  It is the student’s responsibility to notify all Level 1 instructor of any absence. If   

    the student is unable to contact the instructor(s), the student should call 409-

    984-6356 or 1-800-477-5872 ext. 6356. The student should also email the  

    faculty or call the faculty office and leave a voicemail. Failure to notify   

    instructors will result in a declaration of a “No Call, No Show” for the number 

    of days absent and may result in the student being dismissed from the program.

The Program Director or Department Chair has the right to initiate the administrative withdrawal of any student whose attendance, conduct, scholastic abilities, attitude or lack of aptitude for Vocational Nursing making it inadvisable for that student to continue in the program.

Class is Wednesdays 0830-1130

Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.

Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Accessibility Services Coordinator, Room 119, in the Ruby Fuller Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.

No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.

This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.

As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.

LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.

For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.

If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.