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.
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:
- Anti-depressant Agents
- Pain Management : Opioid and Non-opioid Agents
- Over the Counter Medications
- Corticosteroids
- Bronchodilators and Respiratory Agents
- Anti-anxiety Agents
- Sedative and Hypnotics
- Hypertensive Agents
- Antidysrythmics
- Antianginal
- Cardiac Glycosides
- Diuretics
- Antilipemics
- Anticoagulants
- Antibiotics, Antifungals, Antiviral
- Antibiotic Resistant
- Anti-psychotic Agents
- Anti-parkinsonian Agents
- Mood Stabilizers
- Anti-epileptic Agents
- HIV and TB Medicatons
- General and Local Anesthetics
- Anesthesia for ECT and Neuromuscular Blocking Agents
- Anti-diabetic Agents
- Blood Forming Agents
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.
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.
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.