I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Pharmacology

2. Course Prefix & Number:
PNUR 1134

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 1

Lecture Hours: 1

Lab Hours: 0

4. Course Description:

This course develops student awareness of basic pharmacological concepts. It covers drug laws, 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:

Accuplacer (specify test):

No placement tests required

Score:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites 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 is required for the following program(s):

Practical Nursing, Diploma
Trained Medication Aid, 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.

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;
• Identify medication classification and abbreviations; and
• 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. 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
4. Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs
• RDA
• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Electrolytes
• Herbs
5. 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
6. Drugs for the Skin
• Integumentary System
• Skin Disorders
• Topical Medications
• General Instructions for Medicating the Skin
7. Drugs for the Cardiovascular System
• Cardiovascular System
• Cardiovascular Disorders
• Drugs for Cardiovascular and Blood Disorders
• Giving Cardiovascular Medications
8. Drugs for the Respiratory System
• Respiratory System
• Respiratory System Disorders
• Drugs for Respiratory Disorders
• Giving  Respiratory Drugs
9. Drugs for the GI System
• GI System
• Disorders of the GI System
• Drugs that Affect GI System
• Giving GI Drugs
10. 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
11. Drugs for the Reproductive System
• Disorders of the Reproductive System
• Use of Sex Hormones in Drug Therapy
12. Drugs for the Endocrine System
• Disorders of the Endocrine System
• Hormone Therapy
13. Drugs for the Musculoskeletal System
• Musculoskeletal System
• Disorders and Drug Treatment of Musculoskeletal System
• Disorders
• Care of Patients with MS Disorders
14. Drugs for the Nervous and Sensory Systems
• Nervous System Disorders
• Drugs that Affect the CNS
• Giving Meds for the Nervous and Sensory Systems
15. Psychotropic Drugs
• Mental Disorders
• Selection and Use of Psychotropic Drugs
16. 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.