Pharmacology

Course Description

This course examines the pharmacodynamics of major drug classes and methods of calculating dosages. A review of safe administration of medication is provided. Emphasis is placed on nursing assessment and the management of therapeutics, particularly the toxic effects of pharmacotherapeutic interventions.

Topics and Objectives

Legal Aspects of Pharmacology

• Describe the impact of legislation on medication administration.
• Compare and contrast student's workplace practices as related to drug administration.

Core Drug Knowledge

• Define and give examples of the principles of core drug knowledge.

Medication Administration and Calculations

• Describe the principles of safe medication administration, including the Five Rights.
• Differentiate peripheral from central IV lines (include midline and PICC line).
• Calculate IV drip flow rates.
• Calculate dosages for oral, parenteral, and topical medications.

Medications Related to the Gastrointestinal and Endocrine Systems

• Identify core drug knowledge for drugs that affect gastrointestinal and endocrine systems.
• Differentiate the classes of gastrointestinal and endocrine drugs by prototype.
• Identify patient variables relevant to drugs that affect gastrointestinal and endocrine systems.
• Describe nursing interventions to enhance the therapeutic effects and decrease adverse effects for drugs that affect the gastrointestinal & endocrine systems.
• Describe appropriate educational information for patients and families on gastrointestinal and endocrine drugs.

Medications Related to the Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems

• Identify core drug knowledge for drugs that affect cardiovascular & respiratory systems.
• Differentiate the classes of cardiovascular and respiratory drugs by prototype.
• Identify patient variables relevant to drugs that affect cardiovascular & respiratory systems.
• Describe the nursing interventions to enhance the therapeutic effects and decrease adverse effects for drugs that affect the cardiovascular & respiratory systems.
• Describe appropriate educational information for patients and families on cardiovascular and respiratory drugs.

Medications Related to the Nervous System

• Identify core drug knowledge for drugs that affect nervous system.
• Differentiate the classes of nervous system drugs by prototype.
• Identify patient variables relevant to drugs that affect nervous system.
• Describe nursing interventions to enhance the therapeutic effects and decrease adverse effects for drugs that affect the nervous system.
• Describe appropriate educational information for patients and families nervous system drugs.

Medications Related to Immunity, Inflammation, and Infection

• Identify core knowledge for drugs that affect the immune system inflammation, and infection.
• Differentiate the classes of drugs that affect the immune system inflammation and infection by prototype.
• Identify patient variables relevant to drugs that affect the immune system inflammation, and infection.
• Describe nursing interventions to enhance the therapeutic effects and decrease adverse effects for drugs that affect the immune system inflammations, and infection systems.
• Describe appropriate educational information for patients and families on drugs that affect the immune system, inflammatory response, and the antimicrobial drugs.