I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Pharmacology

2. Course Prefix & Number:
PNUR 1134

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 2

Lecture Hours: 2

Lab Hours: 0

4. Course Description:

This course develops the student’s awareness of basic pharmacological concepts.  It teaches the Practical Nursing students how to calculate medication dosages and perform conversions between measurement systems.  It covers drug laws and standards and safe medication administration.  Students learn about the actions of medications in the body, i.e. absorption, biotransformation, metabolism, and excretion.  The various classifications of medications are discussed along with how to use medication references.

5. Placement Tests Required:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

7. Other Prerequisites
Admission to the Practical Nursing Program or Medical Assistant Program is required to register for this course.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:

Pine Technical College, HEOP 1208 Med Dosages, 1 credit
Alexandria Technical College, PNSG 1607 Med Administration, 2 credits
St. Cloud Technical College, PRSG 2429 Essentials of Clinical Pharmacology, 2 credits

III. Course Purpose

1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course fulfills a requirement for the following program(s):

Practical Nursing Program, Diploma
Medical Assistant Program, Certificate

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate written communication skills	Complete a written paper that reviews an article regarding medication errors
Analyze and follow a sequence of operations	Calculate medication dosage problems.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Identify medication effect/action/contraindication.
• Utilize medication references.
• Identify pertinent medication information.
• Explain federal drug requirements.
• Explain medication safety measures.
• Identify medication terms.
• Interpret medication orders.
• Solve decimal and fraction problems.
• Convert apothecary/metric measures.
• Solve dosage problems.
• Demonstrate equity problems.
• Identify medication classification.
• Discuss medication errors and prevention methods.

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Orientation to Medications
• Drug Sources
• Drug Uses
• Drug Standards
• Drug Names
• Drug References
• Preparing Drug Cards
• Drug legislation
• You and the Law
2. Principles of Drug Action
• Pharmacokinietics
• Drug Action
• Factors Affecting Drug Action
• Drug Effects
• Adverse Reactions
• Drug Dependence or Drug Abuse?
3. Measurement and Dosage Calculations
• Math Review:  Fractions, Decimals
• Systems of Measurement
• Apothecary System
• Converting Among Measurement Systems
• Dosage Calculations
4. Administering Parenteral Medications
• Orientation to the Parenteral Route
• Standard Precautions
5. Medication Therapy
• Forms of Medications
• Routes of Administration
• The Medication Order
• Types of Drug Orders
• Questioning a Drug Order
• Standard Medical Abbreviations
• Ordering Drugs from the Pharmacy
• Drug Packaging
• Storage and Disposal of Drugs
• The Seven Rights:  Rules for Giving Medications
• Reading and Understanding a Medication label
• Charting Medications
• Principles of Charting
6. Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs
• RDA
• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Electrolytes
• Herbs
7. Antibiotics and Antifungals
• Infection and Immunity
• Antibiotic Drugs
• Antifungal Drugs
• Antiviral Drugs
• Drugs for the Eye and Ear
• Eye Disorders
• Drug Therapy for Eye Disorders
• Ear Disorders
• Drug Therapy for Ear Disorders
8. Drugs for the Skin
• Integumentary System
• Skin Disorders
• Topical Medications
• General Instructions for Medicating the Skin
9. Drugs for the Cardiovascular System
• Cardiovascular System
• Cardiovascular Disorders
• Drugs for Cardiovascular and Blood Disorders
• Giving Cardiovascular Medications
10. Drugs for the Respiratory System
• Respiratory System
• Respiratory System Disorders
• Drugs for Respiratory Disorders
• Giving  Respiratory Drugs
11. Drugs for the GI System
• GI System
• Disorders of the GI System
• Drugs that Affect GI System
• Giving GI Drugs
12. Drugs for the Urinary System and Fluid Balance
• Urinary System
• Disorders of the Kidneys and Urinary Tract
• Imbalances of Body Fluids, Electrolytes and pH
• Drugs for Urinary Tract and Fluid Imbalances
• Giving Drugs That Affect the Urinary System
13. Drugs for the Reproductive System
• Disorders of the Reproductive System
• Use of Sex Hormones in Drug Therapy
14. Drugs for the Endocrine System
• Disorders of the Endocrine System
• Hormone Therapy
15. Drugs for the Musculoskeletal System
• Musculoskeletal System
• Disorders and Drug Treatment of Musculoskeletal System
• Disorders
• Care of Patients with MS Disorders
16. Drugs for the Nervous and Sensory Systems
• Nervous System Disorders
• Drugs that Affect the CNS
• Giving Meds for the Nervous and Sensory Systems
17. Psychotropic Drugs
• Mental Disorders
• Selection and Use of Psychotropic Drugs
18. Drugs for the Geriatric Patient
• Drugs and the Older Adult
• The Aging Process
• Pharmacokinetics in the Older Adult
• Obtaining a Medical and Medication History
• Administering Meds to the Older Adult Patients
• Engaging Patients in Their Care.