MTH 117A - Math for Allied Health - Extended Hours

Credits: 2
Instructional Contact Hours: 3

Reviews fractions, decimals, percentages, and proportions. Includes a study of the metric system and the household system with applications in converting from one system to another. Emphasizes applications including those involved in giving medications and in finding times and various rates for intravenous feedings. Credit may be earned in MTH 117 or MTH 117A, but not both.

This course is designed for students who need practice in foundational skills while engaging in college-level study of mathematics and problem-solving skills. Class sessions and assignments will reinforce prerequisite skills and topics through embedded support and just-in-time remediation.

Prerequisite(s): High School GPA of 2.5 or higher within the last ten years OR completion of the Guided Self-Placement (GSP) process

Corequisite(s): None
Lecture Hours: 45 Lab Hours: 0
Meets MTA Requirement: None
Pass/NoCredit: Yes

Outcomes and Objectives

1. Demonstrate the ability to perform operations with fractions.

A. Change improper fractions to mixed numbers and mixed numbers to improper fractions.
B. Reduce fractions to lowest terms.
C. Multiply and divide fractions.
D. Compare fraction values.
E. Write ratios
F. Use a calculator to perform operations with fractions.

2. Demonstrate the ability to perform operations with decimals.

A. Read and write decimals.
B. Round decimal numbers to a given place value.
C. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimal numbers.
D. Compare decimals values.
E. Change fractions and mixed numbers to decimal equivalents.

3. Demonstrate the ability to work with proportions.

A. Write ratios, rates and unit rates
B. Estimate values based on proportional thinking
C. Solve and check proportions.
D. Use proportions to solve applied problems.

4. Demonstrate the ability to work with percents.

A. Change a percent to a fraction.
B. Change a fraction to a percent.
C. Change a fraction to a decimal.
D. Change a decimal to percent.
E. Compare fractions, decimals, and percents.
F. Use percents to solve applied problems.

5. Demonstrate the ability to work with metric and household units.

A. Read and write units (including abbreviations) in the metric and household systems.
B. Convert within the metric system.
C. Convert between household and metric units.
D. Solve practical problems involving metric and household units.
E. Use dimensional analysis to change units (introduce)

6. Demonstrate the ability to interpret labels:

A. Read drug labels and identify trade and generic names.
B. Interpret labels involving units, percentages, ratios, and milliequivalents.
C. Locate dosage strengths and calculate dosages.

7. Demonstrate the ability to read syringe calibrations.

A. Identify the amount of solution in a syringe.
B. Draw an arrow or shade a syringe barrel to indicate level of a required dosage.

8. Demonstrate the ability to calculate oral and parenteral dosages.

A. Calculate dosage of tablets and capsules.
B. Calculate dosages of oral solutions.
C. Calculate dosages of injectable drugs.
D. Work practical problems involving drug dosages.

9. Demonstrate the ability to do calculations involving intravenous fluids.

A. Interpret IV fluid abbreviations.
B. Calculate various rates of flow for IV fluids.
C. Calculate the running time for IV fluids.
D. Work practical problems involving IV fluids.

10. Demonstrate the ability to assess the accuracy of dosages.

A. Calculate a patient's body surface area.
B. Use a patient’s weight to calculate a dosage.
C. Use a patient’s body surface to calculate a dosage.
D. Assess the accuracy of dosage on the basis of a patient’s weight.
E. Assess the accuracy of a dosage on the basis of a patient’s body surface area.

11. Demonstrate the ability to solve word problems.

A. Identify necessary and unnecessary information
B. Set up mathematical operation to answer the question
C. Evaluate reasonableness of answers