vcc.ca
NURS 2105: Pharmacology A
Effective date
September 2023
Department
Access to Practical Nursing
School
Health Sciences
Description
This 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. The various routes of medication administration are introduced. Complementary, Indigenous, alternative remedies, and polypharmacy across the lifespan are explored. The learners will gain an understanding of pharmacology and medication administration across the lifespan. Also included are the topics of substance abuse and addiction.
Credits
2.0
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
NURS 2101, NURS 2102, NURS 2103, NURS 2104, NURS 2106.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Describe the responsibility of the Practical Nurse (PN) 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 classes of medications used to treat specific disorders/illness.
- Identify complementary, Indigenous and alternative therapies.
- Describe medication classifications, actions, interactions and nursing implications relative to body systems including: endocrine, neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, musculoskeletal systems, and miscellaneous drug classifications.
- Describe the effects, uses and indications for antimicrobials, and the relationship to drug resistance.
- Relate drug interactions, polypharmacy, and food/drug affects to medication used across the lifespan, particularly the older adult.
- Relate theoretical understanding of narcotic side effects, indications for use and legal responsibilities.
- Describe the potential interaction of complementary, Indigenous and herbal preparations with prescription medications.
- Consider the roles of other health care providers in determining one’s own professional and interprofessional roles related to complementary and prescription medication ordering, processing, dispensing, administration and monitoring.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 60
Total Hours: 60
Total Hours: 60
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% Theory S=80%
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Quizzes/Tests |
65 |
Quizzes x 3 |
|
Exam |
|
Math skills assessment- 100% required, 3 attempts given, different exam each attempt |
|
Final Exam |
25 |
|
|
Assignments |
10 |
Presentation |
Course topics
- Introduction to Pharmacology: The PN role and legal responsibilities of medication administration; Pharmacodynamics; Pharmacokinetics; Drug actions and interactions; 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;
- Basic medication dosage calculations
- Polypharmacy across the lifespan
- Drug Classifications according to body systems: Endocrine, Nervous, Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Gastrointestinal, Genitourinary, Musculoskeletal and Sensory systems
- Miscellaneous drug classifications (antineoplastics); Antimicrobial agents; drug resistance
- Interactions of complementary and alternative healing remedies with prescription medications
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.