NURS 1950 - Pharmacology in Nursing

4.0 Credits

This course is designed to assist the nursing student in developing an understanding of how drugs assist the client with health alterations to attain or maintain optimum health. This course highlights the major drug classifications and the nursing management required for drug therapy. Information regarding the core drug knowledge (pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, contraindications and precautions, adverse effects, and drug interactions) is presented. Emphasis is given to the importance of nursing management in drug therapy (maximizing therapeutic effect, minimizing adverse effects, and patient and family education). The course content provides the foundation of basic pharmacology necessary for a nurse in general practice.

Prerequisites: (4) NURS 1110; NURS 1200; NURS 1300; and NURS 1510

Lecture Hours: 4.0
Lab Hours: 0.0
Internship Hours: 0.0
Clinical or Practicum Hours: 0.0

Course Objectives
1. Explain the basic principles of pharmacology and pharmacokinetics.
2. Describe the most commonly prescribed agents in the major drug classifications.
3. Explain the mechanism of action of the major drug classifications.
4. Analyze the adverse effect and drug interactions profiles of the major drug classifications and individual drugs within these classes.
5. Analyze the clinical and therapeutic use of drugs in the treatment of illnesses in various healthcare settings.
6. Apply nursing process to connect pharmacology, pathophysiology and nursing care learned in other courses.
7. Relate pharmacotherapy to patient assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning patient outcomes, implementing patient center care and evaluating the outcomes.
8. Demonstrate the ability to accurately calculate drug dosages

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