NURS 161 - Nursing Pharmacology

3 CR
This course is designed to provide the student with an overview of pharmacology with an emphasis on clinical applications within the context of the nursing process. The course is organized by medication classification. It explores indications, modes of action, effects, contraindications, side effects, adverse effects and interactions for selected drug groups. Specific nursing responsibilities related to drug administration are emphasized. Dosage Calculation methods will be used to solve medication administration problems safely for adults and pediatric populations. Additionally, a foundation in medical terminology by recognizing and combining root words, prefixes and suffixes in order for students to utilize commonly used language of healthcare professionals.  Concepts from this course will be utilized throughout the nursing clinical experiences.

 

Additional Information: Formal admission to the Nursing Program required.

1. Analyze appropriate dosage calculations for safe administration of medications.
2. Explore nursing school success strategies, study strategies and test taking strategies.
3. Implement common medical terminology in nursing practice.
4. Demonstrate fundamental knowledge of pharmacological principles in nursing practice.
5. Explore principles of safe medication across the lifespan.
6. Apply the nursing process to drug categories with therapeutic effects targeting pain and inflammation.
7. Apply the nursing process to drug categories with therapeutic effects targeting the respiratory system.
8. Apply the nursing process to drug categories effecting the nervous system.
9. Apply the nursing process to drug categories targeting psychotherapeutic effects.
10. Apply the nursing process to drug categories with therapeutic effects targeting the cardiovascular and renal systems. 
11.  Apply the nursing process to drug categories with therapeutic effects targeting the gastrointestinal system. 
12. Apply the nursing process to the therapeutic effects of anti-infective drug categories.
13. Apply the nursing process to drug categories with therapeutic effects targeting the endocrine system.
14. Apply the nursing process to drug categories targeting antineoplastic effects.