NURS 368

I. Course Title: Pharmacology

II. Course Number: NURS 368

III. Credit Hours: 3 credits

IV. Prerequisites: Upper division standing.

V. Course Description:

Emphasis is placed on knowledge and understanding of the relationship of drugs and their effects on humans with complex health problems.

VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:

The objectives and content of this Level 1 course facilitate achievement of the College’s program outcomes as well as the Essentials of Baccalaureate Education (AACN). Additionally, the major topics and skills covered in this course represent content covered on standardized achievement examinations and the NCLEX-RN test plan. Current research, advanced nursing theory, and evidence based clinical practice guide content development and course design. 

VI. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:

The following teaching strategies will be employed but not limited to: Lectures, discussions, multimedia, web-based activities, exemplars, and case studies.

VII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: 

1. Discuss foundational pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, incorporating learned knowledge from social, behavioral, and applied sciences. 
2. Explain the healthcare policies, regulations and pharmaceutical expenses, when evaluating and planning patient medication management. 
3. Outline a simple to complex approach to primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention to help conceptualize important components related to nursing pharmacology. 
4. Consider legal regulations of the process of drug development, approval and testing. 
5. Evaluate the challenges associated with drug therapy in current times considering evidence for best practice, patient safety, and critical thinking 
6. Calculate accurate drug dosages for adults. 
7. Correlate the physiologic and psychologic actions of the select major drug groups on each body system(s) in acute and chronically ill adults. 
8. Discuss the important lifespan considerations associated with major drug groups and classifications. 
9. Apply theoretical knowledge basic to the nursing process in discussion the mechanism of action, indications, contraindications and cautions, common adverse effects, and clinically important drug-drug interactions for each of the select major drug groups. 
10. Relate the importance of renal and hepatic function to therapeutic drug therapy. 
11. Describe relevant nursing considerations and important teaching points related medication administration, provision and coordination of safe, compassionate, and interdisciplinary care based on scholarly evidence as well as respect for patient's preferences, values, and needs. 

VIII. Assessment Measures:

May include but are not limited to: 

• Exams, Quizzes 
• Case studies 
• Papers 
• Project(s), Individual or Group 
• Care Planning, Concept Mapping 
• Oral Presentations 
• Class Participation 

 

Other Course Information

N/A.

 

Review and Approval

March, 2011    Kimberly Carter, Director

October, 2018

March 2021, Iris Mullins, Director

March 19, 2026