NUR 3145 - Pharmacology in Nursing Practice

College of Nursing

Credit(s): 2
Contact Hours: 30
Effective Term Spring 2017 (525)

Requisites

Admission to Nursing (Bachelor of Science) (NURS-BS) and
Pre- or Co-requisite NUR 3805

Course Description

This course builds on essential concepts and principles of pharmacology as applied in the nursing management of client care. Major concerns in health care include medication errors and medication reconciliation. Improvement in delivery processes to improve safety and quality of care thereby improving client outcomes is the focus of many regulatory agencies. This course will highlight issues in pharmacology and provide the student with basic knowledge for client care and education. This course will specifically address aspects of pharmacology related to the assessment and management of symptoms across the lifespan by providing the student with the in depth knowledge regarding the administration of pharmacologic therapies, the management of physical and psychological symptoms related to disease and treatment, and education related to safe and effective use of pharmacologic agents.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will discuss the applications of pharmacology in client care by:
    1. Examining the US healthcare policy regarding the development of pharmacologic agents.
    2. Reviewing the legal/ethical implications of drug development, drug legislation, health care policy, and media influence.
    3. Describing the professional responsibility and standards of practice for the nurse as related to the medication administration process.
  2. The student will analyze the effects of pharmacologic therapies in the management of physical and psychological symptoms by:
    1. Reviewing adverse drug reactions and potential drug interactions.
    2. Evaluating the effectiveness of medications used in the management and treatment of illness/ disease processes.
    3. Recognizing the nurse's role in collaborating with other members of the healthcare team regarding the effectiveness of drug therapies and potential interactions.
  3. The student will develop culturally appropriate therapeutic teaching strategies related to the effective use of pharmacologic agents by:
    1. Integrating current research and evidenced based treatment protocols into nursing practice.
    2. Discussing the implications of cultural and genetic variations related to pharmacologic agents.
    3. Incorporating effective teaching strategies when providing patient education regarding drug therapy.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

C&I 12/4/07, BOT 1/15/08, Effective 20081(0400). Submitted as 3XXX; approved as 3145. C&I 6/24/08, BOT 8/19/08, Effective 20081(0400). C&I 4/14/09, BOT 5/19/09, Effective 20091(0415). C&I 6/23/2009, BOT 7/21/2009, Effective 20091(0415). Flex Access online 20091(0415). Added Nursing BS prereq 20092(0420). C&I Approval: 06/23/2009, BOT Approval: 07/21/2009, Effective Term: Spring 2010 (420).
C&I Approval: 08/12/2016, BOT Approval: 09/20/2016, Effective Term: Spring 2017 (525)