vcc.ca
NURS 1005: Pharmacology 1
Effective date
September 2023
Department
Practical Nursing
School
Health Sciences
Description
This introductory course examines the principles of pharmacology required to administer medications in a safe and professional manner. Medication administration requires the application of the nursing process for clinical decision-making. Various routes of medication administration are introduced and complementary, Indigenous and alternative remedies and polypharmacy across the lifespan are also explored.
Credits
1.0
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
NURS 1001, NURS 1002, NURS 1003, NURS 1004, NURS 1006.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Describe the responsibility of the LPN in administration of medication.
- Explain how drug standards and the drug legislation affect drug regulation in Canada.
- Explain the purpose of the Canadian Drug laws and their application to nursing practice.
- Describe the concepts of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.
- Identify basic terminology used in pharmacology.
- Describe the principles of pharmacology as related to common drug actions and interactions.
- Demonstrate competency with basic mathematical drug calculations.
- Identify commonly used drug classification systems in Canada.
- Explain the principles of medication administration.
- Describe the routes of medication administration.
- Apply the nursing process as it relates to medication administration.
- Identify various classes of medications used to treat specific disorders/illness.
- Identify complementary, Indigenous, and alternative therapies.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 30
Total Hours: 30
Total Hours: 30
Instructional Strategies
Course guides provide direction of learning in preparation, in course activities and reflection of the content. The instructor acts as facilitator and expert to promote an environment conducive for learning through activities such as guided discussion, debate, audio-visual presentation, group activities, online activities, skill building exercises and simulation.
Grading System
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Passing grade
Satisfactory Math S = 100% Overall Cumulative Theory grade must = 80%
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Exam |
30 |
Theory |
|
Exam |
35 |
Theory |
|
Final Exam |
25 |
Comprehensive exam. Cumulative theory passing grade is 80% |
|
Quizzes/Tests |
|
Math skills assessment- must get 100%. Given 3 attempts for an S |
|
Assignments |
10 |
Group presentation |
Course topics
- Introduction to Pharmacology; The LPN role and Legal Responsibilities of Medication Administration; Pharmacodynamics; Pharmacokinetics; Drug Actions and Interactions; Drug Calculations (child, adult, elderly), Drug Classifications according to body systems; Principles of Medication Administration; Drug Distribution Systems; Basic terminology used in pharmacology
- Nursing Process and Pharmacology
- Routes of Medication Administration: oral, rectal, topical, parenteral, percutaneous
- Introduction to complementary, Indigenous and traditional healing alternatives; Vitamin Supplements; Herbal Preparations; Homeopathy; Pharmacology in the Older Adult; Polypharmacy across the lifespan
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.