Synopsis
Math is at the heart of pharmaceutical care. A sound knowledge of math concepts is critical to the success of the Pharmacy Technician. Pharmaceutical Calculations for The Pharmacy Technician focuses on dosage calculations and basic math skills: from simple addition and subtraction to formulas used in dosage calculations to business math concepts. Accuracy in calculations will guide the Pharmacy Technician in the prevention of medication errors.
Features
- Workbook format provides over 1100 practice problems -- more than other texts
- Examples for problems are provided in a step-by-step format
- Includes chapters on pediatric and geriatric drug calculations
- "Remember" boxes highlight key content
Doody Review Services
Reviewer:Lindsay I. Varga, B.S.(Temple University School of Pharmacy)
Description:This workbook is for pharmacy technician students wishing to improve their knowledge in basic math skills, systems of measurement, dosage calculations, and interpreting a medication order. This book approaches these subjects by giving real-life examples that can be seen every day in the pharmacy field.
Purpose:The author's purpose is to empower pharmacy technicians through an understanding of the fundamental skills of calculating drug dosages and converting within the metric, apothecary, and household systems. The book also attempts to provide good understanding of medical terms and the different dosage forms used in the pharmacy. It is absolutely necessary to be proficient in these subjects in order to ensure a safe healthcare environment. Too many lives have been lost due to medication errors that could have been avoided with a little education. This book achieves its goals and then some. The practical, real-life approach to the subject makes learning and applying the new knowledge seamless. Not only is this book important because it is an excellent learning tool, but it is also innovative because it acknowledges the fact that a pharmacy technician is a specialized occupation that requires precision, accuracy, and a wide range of education.
Audience:The book is written primarily for pharmacy technician students. However, many other health professions can benefit from it. Anyone working with prescription medications should read and work through this book. The author is an expert in the field and has had experience with students since he created the associate degree program for pharmacy technicians in 2000 at Florida Metropolitan University.
Features:The book starts by giving a thorough overview of basic math and conversions between different systems of measurement. These important fundamentals could easily become boring, but the author applies them to the daily proceedings in a pharmacy setting and makes them fascinating. The book then goes on to describe different dosage forms, how to calculate doses, and specific considerations when dealing with pediatric and geriatric patients. The strongest feature of the book is its practice problems. There are example problems throughout the tutorial, and then there are a set of problems for the reader to try on their own at the end of each chapter. These problems take on many different perspectives of the subject, which further reinforces the information for the reader. The book also incorporates real pictures of medication labels and shows where to find the information you need on the label.
Assessment:This book is innovative and a perfect learning tool. It is one of the first books to acknowledge the importance of a pharmacy technician's job and prepares the student for work in a pharmacy by relating the material to real-life experiences. It is the first book I have seen to include so many pictures of labels taken directly from manufacturers and forms taken directly from hospitals. This is invaluable exposure to what the technicians will see once they are in the working world. This book prepares pharmacy technicians for the responsibility of ensuring a safe healthcare environment by avoiding medication errors.