3.0

credits

Average Course Rating

The theoretical course, Pharmacology, provides nurses in general practice with an understanding of core drug knowledge including pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, contraindications and precautions, adverse effects, and drug interactions. Sources of individual variation in drug response are presented in relation to drug therapy, and include: health status, lifespan and gender, lifestyle, diet, and habits, environment, and culture and inherited traits. Major drug classifications and prototype drugs are presented in a standardized format that includes discussion of pharmacology principles, medication safety issues, nursing implication of drug therapy, as well as, review in relation to patient case scenarios. The nursing process, which is essential for the nursing management of drug therapy, is emphasized, allowing students to apply their critical thinking skills for patients receiving drug therapy. Nursing management in drug therapy includes maximizing therapeutic effects, minimizing adverse effects, and patient and family education. The course content provides nurses in general practice with the knowledge to apply the foundation of basic pharmacology, with an emphasis on an inter-professional approach to practice. Application of this knowledge in the clinical setting allows nurses in general practice the ability to provide safe, effective nursing care using a holistic approach to improve patient and system outcomes. Prerequisites: NR.120.501-120.505