Pharmacy Dosages and Prescriptions Essentials from Coursera

In the Pharmacy Dosages and Prescriptions Essentials course, students will learn the language of medicine, using pharmacy nomenclature and the skills necessary to measure different types of prescriptions through four lessons. This includes understanding the dosage calculation methods, mathematical conversions, and formulas most commonly used within the pharmacy. Students will also learn how to prepare and measure tablet and capsule medications, liquid prescriptions, and other considerations, including parenteral and enteral, and insulin and syringes. It is essential to understand the patient and medication safety practices necessary for the role, such as handling and disposing of hazardous material. Additionally, this course provides insight into the various roles a pharmacy technician is expected to perform, how to properly handle these tasks, and a variety of other real-world scenarios a pharmacy technician will encounter in the pharmacy. After completion of this course, students will have a solid base knowledge of prescriptions, dosages, calculations, and the overall tasks of the role.

Course objectives include:

- Verify medication orders, calculate and measure dosage, and prepare and package medications

- Apply knowledge of pharmacology, documentation, and inventory management in the pharmacy

- Practice basic calculation methods related to pharmacy, including fractions, decimals, percentages, the metric system, ratios, and proportions

What's inside

Syllabus

Module 1

Calculating the proper dosage of a medication is the primary component of administering a drug. Explore the 3 basic methods used for dosage calculation: Dimensional Analysis, Ratio and Proportion, and using Formulas, as well as various pediatric dosage calculations, and infusion calculations for flow rate, time and weight.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops the important mathematics skills necessary for Pharmacy Technicians

Examines various types of medications and their uses

Course instructor Dr. Sherrie B. Moore has been recognized for her work in pharmacy and medical field

Taught by Dr. Sherrie B. Moore, who is an experienced pharmacy instructor

Provides a wide range of real-world scenarios that connect theory to practice

Introduces the basic concepts of pharmacy, such as the language of medicine and pharmacology

Reviews summary

Essential pharmacy dosage calculations and technician skills

According to learners, this course offers a solid foundation in pharmacy dosage calculations and essential technician tasks. Many students highlight the clear, step-by-step explanations for complex topics like dimensional analysis and liquid prescriptions. The inclusion of practical, real-world scenarios is frequently praised for effectively preparing them for the job. While generally well-received, some learners found certain sections to be lecture-heavy and expressed a desire for more practice problems. There are also mixed observations regarding instructor responsiveness and forum activity.

Opinions vary on responsiveness of course support.

"The instructors were also very responsive in the forum, which helped clarify doubts quickly."

"The support forums were not very active, and getting answers took longer than expected."

"I found the level of interaction in the community somewhat inconsistent."

Prepares learners for practical tasks in a pharmacy setting.

"The real-world scenarios discussed in Module 4; they truly prepare you for the job and what to expect."

"I feel much more confident in handling prescriptions and various pharmaceutical calculations after completing this course."

"The examples were practical, and the step-by-step approach was beneficial for applying the concepts."

Complex pharmacy dosage calculations are explained clearly.

"The dimensional analysis module was particularly helpful, explaining complex topics in a clear, easy-to-understand way."

"It demystified pharmacy math for me. The lessons on liquid prescriptions and emulsions were very well explained."

"The calculation methods were broken down nicely, making it easy to follow along."

Course relies heavily on lectures, less on interactivity.

"The content is mostly accurate, but some parts felt a bit dry and lecture-heavy, lacking engagement."

"I would have preferred more interactive elements or case studies instead of just watching videos."

"It's okay, but not outstanding in its delivery; more hands-on activities would improve it."

Pace can be challenging for complete beginners.

"I struggled with the pace. It felt like it jumped from basic concepts to complex calculations too quickly without enough reinforcement."

"Some topics seemed to assume prior knowledge, which wasn't always the case for me as a complete beginner."

"As a true beginner, I found myself re-watching sections to grasp the concepts fully."

Some learners desire more practice exercises.

"I wish there were more practice problems, especially for the pediatric dosages, as that section felt a bit rushed."

"I learn better with more hands-on exercises or interactive quizzes to reinforce the material."

"Could use more varied calculation challenges to solidify understanding."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Pharmacy Dosages and Prescriptions Essentials with these activities:

Medication Math Review

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Brush up on basic math skills essential for pharmacy calculations.

Browse courses on Fractions

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Review notes or textbooks on basic math operations.
Solve practice problems involving fractions, decimals, and percentages.
Take a practice quiz to assess your understanding.

Review basic mathematical operations and conversions

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Strengthen your foundation by reviewing and practicing basic mathematical operations, conversions, and units to prepare for the course's dosage calculations.

Browse courses on Mathematical Operations

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Read through your notes or textbooks from previous courses covering basic math operations and conversions
Practice solving simple math problems involving fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, and proportions
Complete online quizzes or worksheets to test your understanding and identify areas where you need more practice

Organize and review course materials

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Prepare for success by gathering and organizing all materials required for the course, such as notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams.

Browse courses on Dosage Calculations

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Gather all relevant course materials from various sources
Organize materials logically and systematically
Review materials regularly to enhance understanding

Nine other activities

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Join a study group or online forum

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Connect with fellow students to discuss course content, share knowledge, and help each other overcome challenges in dosage calculations and pharmacy practice.

Browse courses on Collaboration

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Join or create a study group with classmates or other students taking the same course
Participate in online forums or discussion boards dedicated to pharmacy calculations or related topics
Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your understanding with others
Review and discuss course materials and practice problems together

Online Dosage Calculation Tutorials

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Seek additional guidance and practice through online tutorials.

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Search for reputable online platforms offering dosage calculation tutorials.
Choose a tutorial that aligns with your learning style and pace.
Follow the tutorials, complete practice exercises, and review your understanding.

Practice dosage calculation problems

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Enhance your understanding and accuracy in dosage calculations by regularly practicing problems using different methods.

Browse courses on Dosage Calculations

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Find online practice problems or create your own using the course materials
Solve the problems using the three primary methods: dimensional analysis, ratio and proportion, and formulas
Check your answers and identify any areas where you make mistakes
Repeat the process regularly to improve your proficiency

Problem Sets

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Practice the core dosage calculation methods to improve accuracy and speed.

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Review the lesson materials on dosage calculation methods.
Attempt the practice problems provided in the lesson.
Check your answers against the provided answer key.
Repeat steps 1-3 until you are comfortable with the concepts.

Explore online tutorials on pharmacy calculations

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Supplement your classroom learning by seeking out online tutorials that provide clear and concise explanations of pharmacy calculations.

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Search for reputable websites or YouTube channels that offer tutorials on pharmacy calculations
Choose tutorials that cover topics relevant to your course, such as dosage calculation methods, conversions, and formulas
Watch the tutorials and take notes on key concepts and techniques
Practice the techniques demonstrated in the tutorials

Study Group Discussions

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Engage with peers to discuss concepts and solve problems collaboratively.

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Form a study group with classmates or online peers.
Schedule regular meetings to discuss course materials and work on assignments together.
Take turns presenting concepts and leading discussions.

Medication Calculations Study Guide

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Create a comprehensive study guide to reinforce your understanding.

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Gather notes, assignments, and quizzes from the course.
Organize and review the materials, identifying key concepts and formulas.
Summarize and condense the information into a concise study guide.

Design a medication administration plan

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Apply your knowledge of pharmacy calculations and medication administration to a practical scenario by creating a comprehensive plan for a specific patient's medication regimen.

Browse courses on Medication Administration

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Select a patient case study or create a hypothetical patient scenario
Gather information about the patient's medical history, current medications, and relevant laboratory values
Calculate the appropriate dosages for each medication based on the patient's body weight and condition
Determine the frequency and route of administration for each medication
Create a detailed medication administration plan that includes all the necessary information, such as drug name, dosage, route, timing, and any special instructions

Mentor a junior or struggling student

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Enhance your own understanding by mentoring a student who is struggling with dosage calculations or pharmacy practice concepts.

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Career center

Learners who complete Pharmacy Dosages and Prescriptions Essentials will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Pharmacy Technician

A Pharmacy Technician may calculate and measure drug dosage, prepare and package medications, check and process prescriptions, and verify medication orders. The Pharmacy Dosages and Prescriptions Essentials course helps build a foundation in these aspects of the role. Completing this course may provide a solid base knowledge for working as a Pharmacy Technician.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy Assistant

A Pharmacy Assistant may prepare and dispense medications, assist pharmacists with patient care, and perform other duties as assigned. The Pharmacy Dosages and Prescriptions Essentials course helps build a foundation in these aspects of the role. Completing this course may provide a solid base knowledge for working as a Pharmacy Assistant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmacy Assistant

Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

A Pharmaceutical Sales Representative may promote and sell pharmaceutical products, educate healthcare professionals about medications, and provide customer service. The Pharmacy Dosages and Prescriptions Essentials course may help build a foundation in understanding the dosage and prescription process, which can be helpful for this role. While this course does not cover sales techniques, it may provide some background knowledge on the products being sold.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

Medical Office Assistant

A Medical Office Assistant may perform administrative and clinical tasks in a medical office, including scheduling appointments, verifying insurance, and assisting with patient care. The Pharmacy Dosages and Prescriptions Essentials course may help build a foundation in understanding medical terminology and dosage calculations, which can be helpful for this role. While this course does not cover all aspects of medical office administration, it may provide some background knowledge on the medical field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Office Assistant

Certified Medication Aide

A Certified Medication Aide may administer medications to patients in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities. The Pharmacy Dosages and Prescriptions Essentials course may help build a foundation in understanding dosage calculations and medication administration, which can be helpful for this role. While this course does not cover all aspects of medication aide work, it may provide some background knowledge on the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Certified Medication Aide

Pharmacy Buyer

A Pharmacy Buyer may purchase and manage inventory for a pharmacy or other healthcare facility. The Pharmacy Dosages and Prescriptions Essentials course may help build a foundation in understanding dosage forms and medication packaging, which can be helpful for this role. While this course does not cover all aspects of pharmacy purchasing, it may provide some background knowledge on the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmacy Buyer

Pharmacy Technician Supervisor

A Pharmacy Technician Supervisor may oversee the work of pharmacy technicians, ensure compliance with regulations, and provide training. The Pharmacy Dosages and Prescriptions Essentials course may help build a foundation in understanding pharmacy operations and regulations, which can be helpful for this role. While this course does not cover all aspects of pharmacy supervision, it may provide some background knowledge on the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmacy Technician Supervisor

Pharmacist

A Pharmacist may dispense medications, provide patient counseling, and manage a pharmacy. The Pharmacy Dosages and Prescriptions Essentials course may help build a foundation in understanding dosage calculations and medication properties, which can be helpful for this role. While this course does not cover all aspects of pharmacy practice, it may provide some background knowledge on the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmacist

Nurse

A Nurse may administer medications, provide patient care, and educate patients on their health conditions. The Pharmacy Dosages and Prescriptions Essentials course may help build a foundation in understanding dosage calculations and medication administration, which can be helpful for this role. While this course does not cover all aspects of nursing, it may provide some background knowledge on the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nurse

Physician Assistant

A Physician Assistant may provide medical care under the supervision of a physician, including prescribing medications and performing procedures. The Pharmacy Dosages and Prescriptions Essentials course may help build a foundation in understanding dosage calculations and medication properties, which can be helpful for this role. While this course does not cover all aspects of physician assistant practice, it may provide some background knowledge on the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Physician Assistant

Pharmaceutical Researcher

A Pharmaceutical Researcher may develop and test new medications and treatments. The Pharmacy Dosages and Prescriptions Essentials course may help build a foundation in understanding dosage forms and medication properties, which can be helpful for this role. While this course does not cover all aspects of pharmaceutical research, it may provide some background knowledge on the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmaceutical Researcher

Medical Writer

A Medical Writer may write and edit medical content, such as patient education materials, clinical trial protocols, and scientific articles. The Pharmacy Dosages and Prescriptions Essentials course may help build a foundation in understanding medical terminology and dosage calculations, which can be helpful for this role. While this course does not cover all aspects of medical writing, it may provide some background knowledge on the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Writer

Pharmaceutical Marketing Manager

A Pharmaceutical Marketing Manager may develop and execute marketing campaigns for pharmaceutical products. The Pharmacy Dosages and Prescriptions Essentials course may help build a foundation in understanding the pharmaceutical industry and medication properties, which can be helpful for this role. While this course does not cover all aspects of pharmaceutical marketing, it may provide some background knowledge on the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmaceutical Marketing Manager

Clinical Research Associate

A Clinical Research Associate may manage clinical trials and collect and analyze data. The Pharmacy Dosages and Prescriptions Essentials course may help build a foundation in understanding dosage calculations and medication properties, which can be helpful for this role. While this course does not cover all aspects of clinical research, it may provide some background knowledge on the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Clinical Research Associate

Quality Assurance Specialist

A Quality Assurance Specialist may ensure that products and services meet quality standards. The Pharmacy Dosages and Prescriptions Essentials course may help build a foundation in understanding dosage forms and medication properties, which can be helpful for this role. While this course does not cover all aspects of quality assurance, it may provide some background knowledge on the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Specialist