Course

Pharmacology

Faculty
Health Sciences
Department
Nursing - Psychiatric
Course code
PNUR 3350
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
40
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
Students are introduced to the theory and principles of pharmacology as they relate to psychiatric nursing practice. Students will apply their knowledge of the pharmacodynamics, pharmacotherapeutics and pharmacokinetics of medications within the Douglas College Psychiatric Nursing Conceptual Framework and the nursing process. Students will focus on understanding the classification of medications used in the management of acute (Episodic) and chronic (Ongoing) health variances and will develop a holistic perspective in examining the relationship among medications, the person and the environment. Students will examine health promotion issues related to pharmacology in the context of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention as intervention. Students will develop an understanding of the legal and legislative implications related to pharmacological management as they pertain to psychiatric nursing practice.
Course content

The course concepts include:  Introduction to pharmacology;pharmaceutics, pharmadynamics and pharmacokinetics;common terms in pharmacology; Psychiatric nursing role/responsibilities; Scope of Practice for Psychiatric Nurses: Standards, Limits and Conditions; College of Pharmacists; medication adherence strategies; effects of medication on clients' system; nursing process; pharmacological principles and the following categories of medications:

  • Antidepressants
  • Antidiabetics
  • Pain Management: Opioid and Non-opioid
  • Over the Counter Medications
  • Corticosteroids
  • Respiratory and Bronchodilators
  • Antianxiety
  • Sedative and Hypnotics
  • Anithypertensives
  • Antidysrythmics
  • Antianginal
  • Cardiac Glycosides
  • Diuretics
  • Blood Forming Agents
  • Antilipemics
  • Anticoagulants
  • Antibiotics, Antifungals, Antiviral
  • Antibiotic Resistant
  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Antiparkinsonian Agents
  • Mood Stabilizers
  • Antiepileptic Agents

 

 

 

 

 

Learning activities

Students will acquire knowledge and skill and learn to apply concepts through a variety of means of instruction and activities, including: lecture, demonstrations, audio visual aids, case studies, critical thinking exercises and teamwork.

Means of assessment

The course evaluation is consistent with Douglas College evaluation policy.  An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course.  This is a graded course.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, successful learners will have developed a comprehensive knowledge base in pharmacology particularly the role of pharmaceutics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of various classifications of medications relevent to psychiatric nursing practice.  Learners will understand their psychiatric nursing role and responsibilities in relation to safe and effective drug therapy/ administration and promotion of medication adherence for clients.

 

Textbook materials

Textbooks and materials to be purchased by students.  A list of required and textbooks and materials is provided for 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.

(Current)

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 PNUR 3350
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) KPU PSYN 2125 (3)

Course Offerings

Winter 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
40
Currently enrolled
31
Remaining seats:
9
On waitlist
0
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. C
Room
C1003
Times:
Start Time
12:30
-
End Time
16:20
Section notes

PNUR 3350 001 is restricted to BSPN students.