This introductory course examines the principles of pharmacology required to administer medications in a safe and professional manner. Medication administration requires the application of the nursing process for clinical decision making. The routes of medication administration introduced include medications used to treat constipation, eye and ear disorders and the Integumentary system. Complementary, Indigenous, and alternative remedies, and polypharmacy across the lifespan are explored. The learners will gain an understanding of pharmacology and medication administration across the lifespan. Also included are the topics of substance abuse and addiction.
Hours: 60 (Lecture: 60 hours)
Prerequisites:
PNUR 099
Non-Course Prerequisites:
None
Co-requisites:
APNP 130, APNP 131, APNP 132, APNP 133, APNP 135
Course Content:
- Introduction to Pharmacology.
- The LPN role and legal responsibilities of medication administration.
- Pharmacodynamics
- Pharmacokinetics
- Drug Actions and Interactions
- Drug classifications according to body systems (Endocrine system, Nervous system including effects on cognition and mental status, Cardiovascular system, Respiratory System, Gastrointestinal system not including medications to treat constipation, Genitourinary system, Musculoskeletal System, Sensory System.
- Principles of medication administration
- Drug distribution systems
- Basic terminology used in pharmacology
- Nursing Process and pharmacology
- Routes of medication administration: (oral, rectal, topical, parenteral, percutaneous)
- Introduction to complimentary, Indigenous and traditional healing alternatives.
- Vitamin Supplements
- Herbal preparations.
- Homeopathy
- Basic medication dosage calculations
- Polypharmacy across the lifespan
- Miscellaneous drug classifications (antineoplastics).
- Antimicrobial agents
-Drug Resistance
-Interactions of complementary and alternative healing remedies with prescription medications.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Describe the responsibility of the LPN in administration of medication.
2. Explain how drug standards and the drug legislation affect drug regulation in Canada.
3. Explain the purpose of the Canadian Drug Acts and their application to nursing practice.
4. Describe the concepts of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.
5. Identify basic terminology used in pharmacology.
6. Describe the principles of pharmacology as related to common drug actions and interactions.
7. Demonstrate competency with basic mathematical drug calculations.
8. Identify commonly used drug distribution systems in Canada.
9. Explain the principles of medication administration.
10. Describe the routes of medication administration.
11. Apply the nursing process as it relates to medication administration.
12. Identify medications used to treat specific disorders.
13. Identify complementary, Indigenous, and alternative therapies.
14. Describe medication classifications, actions, interactions, adverse effects, and nursing implications relative to body systems including: endocrine, neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, musculoskeletal systems, and miscellaneous drug classifications.
15. Describe the effects, uses and indications for antimicrobials, and the relationship to drug resistance.
16. Relate drug interactions, polypharmacy, and food/drug effects to medication used across the lifespan, particularly the older adult.
17. Relate theoretical understanding of narcotic side effects, indications for use, and legal responsibilities.
18. Describe the potential interaction of complementary, Indigenous, and herbal preparations with prescription medications.
19. Consider the roles of other health care providers in determining one’s own professional and interprofessional roles related to complementary and prescription medication ordering, processing, dispensing, administration, and monitoring.
Grading System: Pass/Fail
Passing Grade: In order to pass this course, students must achieve 80% on both the final pharmacology theory exam and the overall pharmacology theory grade. They also must achieve 100% on the pharmacology math exam in order to pass this course. A maximum of one rewrite is available for the theory exam and two rewrites are available for the math exam to obtain a passing grade. See the Access to Practical Nursing Handbook for more information.
Textbooks:
Textbooks are subject to change. Please contact the bookstore at your local campus for current book lists.