NU-133 Pharmacology

Course Description: 
This course introduces the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of selected pharmacological agents across the lifespan.  Emphasis on application of clinical reasoning to pharmacotherapeutics through client assessment, intervention, and evaluation using evidence-based practice.  Explores selected natural therapeutic substances.  Includes client teaching about medications in Pacific Islands communities.

• Prerequisite Courses:NU 125  Corequisite: NU 134, 135

A. PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES (PLOs): 

The student will be able to:

1. Model personal and professional actions based on self-reflection, core nursing values, and lifelong growth integrating new knowledge, ethical principles, and legal standards for safe, quality nursing practice.
2. Incorporate nursing knowledge to assess, plan, deliver, and evaluate care within the context of the interprofessional health team.
3. Make evidence-based nursing judgments in the delivery of safe, holistic nursing care.
4. Demonstrate a spirit of inquiry to manage and improve the quality of care and outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.
5. Practice relationship-centered communication and incorporate health technology as a   member of the interprofessional team.
6. Advocate for a caring, culturally safe, and flourishing environment that reflects the values and needs of Micronesian families and communities.
7. Practice and contribute to the primary care and public health care systems in Micronesia to promote family and community wellness.

B.  STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs) - GENERAL:
The student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate professional standards of nursing care relating to pharmacology and medication administration.
2. Apply critical thinking, clinical judgment, and the nursing process to drug therapy and medication administration.
3. Utilize a variety of evidenced-based resources to guide nursing practice for drug therapy.
4. Recognize trends and issues in pharmacology that affect medication administration, quality management, and positive patient/client outcomes.
5. Practice relationship-centered communication and incorporate health technology applied to drug therapy.
6. Determine the cultural beliefs and behavior of Micronesian patients/clients regarding traditional therapies to develop a relevant plan of nursing care.
7. Determine the role the nurse regarding drug therapy and medications in primary care and public health services.

SLO	PLO 1	PLO 2	PLO 3	PLO 4	PLO 5	PLO 6	PLO 7
1	ID
2		IDM
3			ID
4				D
5					ID
6						ID
7							D

I = Introduction
D = Demonstrated
M = Mastered

C.  STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs)-SPECIFIC: 
The student will be able to:

General SLO 1. Demonstrate professional standards of nursing care relating to pharmacology and medication administration.

Student Learning Outcomes	Assessment Strategies
1.1. Explain the significance of nursing codes, standards, and ethics as guidelines for medication administration.	Quizzes, exams, group assignment (with rubric)
1.2. Incorporate standards of practice for drug therapy and medication administration into own nursing practice.	Quizzes, exams, group assignments (with rubric)

General SLO 2. Apply critical thinking, clinical judgment, and the nursing process to drug therapy and medication administration.

Student Learning Outcomes	Assessment Strategies
2.1. Apply the principles of medication administration,   dosage calculation, and pharmacology across the lifespan .	Quizzes, exams, scenarios and simulations (with rubric)
2.2. Demonstrate accuracy and safety in applying the    principles of medication administration, dosage calculation, and pharmacology across the lifespan.	Quizzes, exams, group assignments (with rubric) scenarios and simulations (with rubric)
2.3. Develop a nursing care plan for client/patient teaching that reflects critical thinking, clinical judgment.	Quizzes, exams, scenarios (with rubric) Nursing care plan (with rubric)

General SLO 3. Utilize search engines, websites, and library references that access current, evidence-based drugs, over the counter medications, and herbs.

Student Learning Outcomes	Assessment Strategies
3.1. Identify search engines, websites, and library references that access current, evidence-based drugs, over the counter medications, and herbs.	Information competency group assignments (with rubric), nursing care plan (with rubric)
3.2. Apply evidenced-based resources to guide nursing practice for drug therapy.	Nursing care plan (with rubric)

General SLO 4. Recognize issues and trends in pharmacology that affect medication administration, quality management, and positive patient/client outcomes.

Student Learning Outcomes	Assessment Strategies
4.1. Explain issues and trends in pharmacology that affect medication administration, quality management, and positive patient/client outcomes.	Quizzes, exams, group assignments (with rubric)
4.2. Determine medication administration policies and procedures that could diminish errors, improve patient/client outcomes, and enhance quality management of drug therapy.	Quizzes, exams, group assignments (with rubric) Nursing care plan (with rubric)

General SLO 5. Practice relationship-centered communication and incorporate health technology applied to drug therapy.

Student Learning Outcomes	Assessment Strategies
5.1. Incorporate principles of patient/client-centered health education and advocacy for medication and drug therapy.	Quizzes, exams, individual and group assignments (with rubric) Nursing care plan (with rubric)
5.2. Document and report medication administration and therapeutic effects in timely and accurate communication with the appropriate interprofessional team member.	Quizzes, exams, individual and group assignments (with rubric) Nursing care plan (with rubric)

General SLO 6. Determine the cultural beliefs and behavior of Micronesian and other patients/clients regarding traditional therapies to develop a relevant plan of nursing care.

Student Learning Outcomes	Assessment Strategies
6.1. Identify the cultural beliefs and practices of patients/clients regarding medications, drugs, and herbs.	Quizzes, exams, individual and group assignments (with rubric) Nursing care plan (with rubric)
6.2. Determine culturally based interventions to minimize barriers to effective use of pharmacological therapies by patients/clients.	Quizzes, exams, individual and group assignments (with rubric) Nursing care plan (with rubric)

General SLO 7.  Determine the role the nurse to implement drug therapy and medication administration in primary care and public health services.

Student Learning Outcomes	Assessment Strategies
7.1. Explain the role of the nurse in implementing drug therapy and medication administration in primary care and public health services.	Quizzes, exams, individual and group assignments (with rubric)
7.2. Determine the standards of practice, legal, and ethical issues encountered by the nurse during drug therapy and medication administration in primary care and public health practice.	Quizzes, exams, individual and group assignments (with rubric) Journal

D.  COURSE CONTENT

1. Principles of medication administration
2. Systems of measurement with conversion
3. Dosages and calculations across the lifespan
4. Standards of practice, legal, and ethical codes
5. Pharmacology across the lifespan
6. Finding medication sources: library, databases, and the Internet
7. Contemporary issues in pharmacology
   1. Drug approval process
   2. Drug interactions and over the counter drugs
   3. Drugs of abuse
   4. Herbal therapy
   5. Patient Safety Goals and the Institute of Medicine (IOM)Report
   6. Client teaching
   7. Cultural and genetic considerations
8. Drug categories
   1. Anti-infective agents
   2. Analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
   3. Diuretics and renal system drugs
   4. Antihypertensive drugs
   5. Cardiovascular drugs
   6. Upper and lower respiratory drugs
   7. Analgesics and NSAIDs
   8. Endocrine system drugs
   9. Nervous system drugs
   10. Reproductive system drugs
   11. OTCs, alternatives and substance abuse

E.  METHODS OF INSTRUCTION

1. Mini-lecture.
2. Focused library orientation to nursing related periodicals, references, and databases.
3. Online activities.
4. Interactive group activities.
5. Guest speaker/panel.
6. Independent study.

F.  REQUIRED TEXT(S) AND COURSE MATERIALS
Bucholz, S. (2012).  Henke’s med-math dosage calculation, preparation andb administration (7th ed). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. (or most recent edition)

Karch, A. (2011).  Focus on nursing pharmacology (5th ed.).  Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. (or most recent edition)

Karch, A. (2012). 2012 Lippincott’s nursing drug guide. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. (or most recent edition)

G.  REFERENCE MATERIALS
Nutrition book of choice.

H.  INSTRUCTIONAL COSTS
None
I.   EVALUATION  
This course must be passed with a “C” (70%) or better, along with required corequisites courses (NU 134, 135). to progress to the next semester.

J.   CREDIT BY EXAMINATION
None