Pharmacology: Introduction for Nurses
Overview
In this course, safe administration of medications and special considerations for administration of medications for older adults are the foci of discussion. Concepts and essential content that will be addressed relative to these topics are listed below. In addition, the core curriculum concepts are integrated in this course
Pharmacological principles and foundational concepts
- Medication classifications
- Medications to treat specific pathologies
- Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
- Medications and the scope of nursing practice
- Nursing implications
- Patient and family teaching
Safety
- Standards of safe practice: The “rights” of safe medication administration
- Prevention of medication errors
Specific population focus
- Gerontological considerations for medication administration in nursing practice
- Cultural considerations
- Client perspectives on medications
Treatment of pain
- Theories of pain perception and control
- Analgesia
- Narcotics
- Anti-inflammatory (non-steroidal)
Medication administration
- Nursing practice observations and assessments
- Nursing practice decision-making
- Mechanism of action
- Indications
- Cautions
- Contraindications
- Routes of administration
- Drug interactions
- Adverse/toxic effects
Medical dosage calculation
- Oral
- Other
Alternative and complimentary therapies
- Natural medications
- Over-the-counter medications
- Safety
It is the intent of faculty to facilitate student learning, promote critical inquiry, reflection and analytical reasoning through a variety of learning processes such as lecture, group discussion, and client care studies.
The course evaluation is consistent with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. A course evaluation schedule and other course evaluation information are provided on the Instructor’s Course Outline which is available to students at the beginning of each semester. This is a graded course.
At the end of this course, the successful student will be able to:
- Differentiate the role of the nurse, pharmacist and prescriber as these relate to the use of medications by clients.
- Apply pharmacological principles and foundational concepts for safe medication administration.
- Apply knowledge about selected medication classifications as a framework for understanding the therapeutic effects of medications commonly used in nursing care with older adults.
- Demonstrates an understanding of gerontological considerations in medication administration.
- Apply theoretical knowledge of pain pathways, perception and management.
- Apply the principles of safe medication administration for safe nursing practice.
- Calculate correct dosages for medications administration.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the differences among and the nursing implications related to over-the-counter medications, natural products, and prescribed medications.
Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students:
A list of recommended textbooks and materials is provided on the Instructor’s Course Outline which is available to students at the beginning of each semester.
Requisites
Course Guidelines
Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.
Course Transfers
These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca
| Institution | Transfer details for NURS 2114 |
|---|---|
| Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) | KPU NRSG 2266 (3) |
| Thompson Rivers University (TRU) | TRU HLSC 2660 (3) |
Course Offerings
Winter 2025
| CRN | Days | Instructor | Status | More details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
CRN
14539
|
Tue | Instructor last name
Di Lella
Instructor first name
Denise
|
Course status
Full
|
| CRN | Days | Instructor | Status | More details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
CRN
14540
|
Tue | Instructor last name
Wyatt
Instructor first name
Peggy
|
Course status
Open
|