Pharmacology

Curriculum guideline

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Course
PNUR 3350
Discontinued
No
Course code
PNUR 3350
Descriptive
Pharmacology
Department
Nursing - Psychiatric
Faculty
Health Sciences
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
Not Specified
PLAR
No
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
40
Contact hours
4
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
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.

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 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.

 

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.

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.

Prerequisites

PNUR 2201, PNUR 2221, PNUR 2230, PNUR 2261, and PNUR 2285

Students in the BSPN program are required to maintain a passing grade of 65% (C+) in all courses in order to progress in the program.

Corequisites

PNUR 3301, PNUR 3321, PNUR 3330, and PNUR 3361

Which prerequisite

PNUR 3401; PNUR 3421; PNUR 3430; PNUR 3441; PNUR 3403; PNUR 3461