Advanced Pharmacology/Pathophysiology

Catalog description

This graduate-level course integrates advanced concepts in pathophysiology and pharmacology to support the nurse educator in assessing, evaluating, and managing selected acute and chronic health conditions across the lifespan. Grounded in the Synergy Model for Patient Care, the course emphasizes the dynamic interaction between patient characteristics and clinical nurse competencies in complex health scenarios. Students will examine the etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations of major disease processes affecting all body systems, with a focus on evidence-based teaching and clinical application. Pharmacologic principles?including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacotherapeutics?will be explored in relation to broad drug classifications. Emphasis will be placed on safe medication practices, adverse effect monitoring, drug interactions, and the unique needs of vulnerable populations. The course also addresses the multifactorial influences on health and disease, including genetics, environment, behavior, and culture, while fostering critical thinking and instructional strategies to prepare future nurses for clinical reasoning in complex care settings. This foundational knowledge equips nurse educators to effectively translate advanced science into meaningful learning experiences and promote safe, patient-centered care.