NSG-116: Pharmacology for Nursing Practice

School
Health and Human Services
Division
Nursing
Department
Nursing
Academic Level
Undergraduate
Course Subject
Nursing
Course Number
116
Course Title
Pharmacology for Nursing Practice
Credit Hours
4.00
Instructor Contact Hours Per Semester
62.00 (for 15-week classes)
Student Contact Hours Per Semester
62.00 (for 15-week classes)
Grading Method
A-E
Pre-requisites
BIO-233, BIO-234, ENG-131, HCS-131 or CIS-100, PSY-131, One of the following Math courses: MATH-115, MATH-131, MATH-141, MATH-165, MATH-175, or MATH-180. All with a minimum grade of C or instructor permission.
Co-requisites
NSG-101, NSG-117
Catalog Course Description

This course is designed to provide a foundation in the basic principles of pharmacology that utilize clinical judgment and the nursing process for safe medication administration. Legal and ethical nursing responsibilities and rationale for understanding current drug therapy involved in the common disorders of the major body systems are also included. Routes of medication administration, client education, and dosage calculations are components of this course.

Goals, Topics, and Objectives

Core Course Topics
  1. Introduction to Principles of Pharmacology
    1. Describe, define, and differentiate the principles of pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics for the stated drug classifications.
    2. Describe, define, and differentiate the terms: toxicity, overdose, adverse drug reactions, adverse effects, drug interactions, idiosyncratic reactions, anaphylactic shock, allergic reaction, tolerance, cumulative effect, synergism, and potentiation.
    3. Identify drug interactions (Drug-drug, OTC, reactional medications, supplements)
    4. Describe factors that affect medication absorption and response.
    5. Describe the advantages versus disadvantages of the drug administration routes.
  2. Medication Dosage Calculation
    1. Calculate medication dosages with 90% or higher accuracy.
  3. Legal, Cultural and Ethics and Safe Medication Administration
    1. Describe the nurse’s role in safe administration of medications.
    2. Recognize the nursing process, evidence-based practice, and National Client Safety Standards to safely administer the medications.
    3. Utilize the nursing process, evidence-based practice, and National Client Safety Standards to safely administer the medications.
    4. Describe equitable accessibility to medications.
    5. Use the principles of safe medication administration when considering the legal and ethical responsibility of administering medications.
  4. Clinical Reasoning
    1. Identify how to effectively communicate and manage medication order discrepancies and medication errors.
    2. State drug classifications, actions and interactions associated with pathophysiology of disease.
  5. Client Learning Needs
    1. Assess learning needs and implement appropriate teaching.
    2. Illustrate common life span considerations in teaching clients about their medications.
  6. Anticoagulants/Antiplatelet Medications
    1. List the names and describe actions, indications, possible side effects, and adverse effects of anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications.
    2. Identify and describe reversal agents and treatments for anticoagulants and antiplatelet medications.
  7. Antidiabetic Medications
    1. List the names and describe actions, indications, possible side effects, and adverse effects of insulin and other glucose lowering medications.
    2. Describe the treatment for hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia.
  8. Antibiotic, Antiviral Medications, Antifungal, Antiprotozoal
    1. List the names and describe actions, indications, possible side effects, and adverse effects of insulin and other glucose lowering medications.
    2. Describe the treatment for hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia.
  9. Medications for Pain
    1. List the names, describe actions, indications, possible side effects, and adverse effects of the medications for pain.
    2. Define multimodal pain control.
    3. Differentiate between analgesic and antipyretic agents.
    4. Identify and describe reversal agents and treatments for medications for pain.
  10. CNS Depressants/Stimulants
    1. List the names and describe actions, indications, possible side effects, and adverse effects of CNS depressant and stimulants.
  11. Thyroid/Anti-Thyroid Medications
    1. List the names and describe actions, indications, possible side effects, and adverse effects of thyroid medications.
  12. Genitourinary Medications
    1. List the names and describe actions, indications, possible side effects, and adverse effects of genitourinary medications.
  13. Respiratory Medications
    1. List the names and describe actions, indications, possible side effects, and adverse effects of respiratory medications.
  14. Cardiac/Cardiovascular Medications
    1. List the names and describe actions, indications, possible side effects, and adverse effects of cardiac/cardiovascular medications.
  15. Anti-seizure, Anti-Parkinson Medications
    1. List the names and describe actions, indications, possible side effects, and adverse effects of medications used to treat seizures, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
  16. Adrenal Medications
    1. List the names and describe actions, indications, possible side effects, and adverse effects of medications that affect the adrenal system.
  17. Gastrointestinal Medications
    1. List the names and describe actions, indications, possible side effects, and adverse effects of gastrointestinal medications.
  18. Immunosuppressant Medications
    1. List the names and describe actions, indications, possible side effects, and adverse effects of immunosuppressant medications.
  19. Immunizing Medications
    1. List the names, describe actions, list indications, possible side effects, and adverse effects of medications for immunizing medications.
  20. Cholinergic/Anti-Cholinergic Medications
    1. List the names and describe actions, indications, possible side effects, and adverse effects of cholinergic and anticholinergic medications.
  21. IV fluid replacement
    1. Compare the different types of IV fluid replacement therapies and indications for use.
  22. Ophthalmic Medications
    1. Describe the proper technique to administer eye drops and eye ointments.
  23. Specialty Population Medications
    1. List the names, describe actions, possible side effects, and adverse effects of medications for mental health disorders.
    2. List the names and describe actions, indications, possible side effects, and adverse effects of reversal medications for benzodiazepines.
    3. List the names, describe actions, possible side effects, and adverse effects of medications for labor and delivery, women’s health.
    4. List the names, describe actions, possible side effects, and adverse effects of medications for Pediatrics.

Assessment and Requirements

Assessment of Academic Achievement

Assessments of academic achievement may include, but are not limited to medication dosage calculations, simulation, case studies, quizzes, and exams.

Outcomes

Satisfies Wellness Requirement
No

Credit for Prior College-Level Learning

Options for Credit for Prior College-Level Learning
Departmental Exam
Other Exam
Minimum Departmental Exam Score
80.00%
Departmental Exam Details

Couse Final Exam

Minimum Score on Other Exam
900
Other Exam Details

HESI Pharmacology Exam with a score of 900 or higher. Maximum number of attempts: two

Approval Dates

Effective Term
Fall 2023
ILT Approval Date
AALC Approval Date
Curriculum Committee Approval Date
Review Semester
Fall 2023