Pharmacology for Health Care

Catalog description

This course focuses on pharmacology the nurse needs to know to provide safe and effective care for patients taking medications. Basic principles of pharmacology are reviewed. Medications are grouped for study according to body system and drug action. Emphasis is on application of the nursing process, including patient education, to enhance effectiveness of medication therapy. Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to: Explain the relationship of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to drug therapy. Describe the mechanisms of action, therapeutic effects, adverse effects, interactions, dosages and administration of commonly used groups of drugs. Relate the pharmacodynamics of common groups of drugs to the conditions for which they are prescribed. Use the nursing process to develop an age-appropriate plan of care for the patient receiving drug therapy. Identify nursing responsibilities for accurate administration of medications. NOTE: Prerequisites: NUS 110 and BIO 151 with grades of “C” or better.