Pharmacology for Nursing Practice

Course: Pharmacology for Nursing Practice

Description:

This foundational course has 2500+ Interactive Practice Exam Questions with Rationales. It introduces the core principles of pharmacology and their direct application to professional nursing practice. Students will examine the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of major drug classes while emphasizing the nurse’s critical role in safe medication administration, patient education, and monitoring therapeutic outcomes. The curriculum is organized by body systems and aligns with common health conditions, focusing heavily on nursing implications, safety, lifespan considerations, and evidence-based practice. Dosage calculation, a core competency for safe practice, is integrated throughout. This course provides the essential pharmacological knowledge required for subsequent clinical nursing courses and safe patient care.

Prerequisites:

Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II (with lab)
General Chemistry (with lab)
Microbiology (may be concurrent)

Corequisite(s): Pathophysiology; enrollment in or completion of Fundamentals of Nursing Practice is strongly recommended or required.

Topics

Unit 1: Foundational Principles & Safety

-Pharmacokinetics: Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion (ADME); half-life; bioavailability; therapeutic index.
-Pharmacodynamics: Drug-receptor interaction; agonist vs. antagonist; dose-response curve.
-Nursing Process & Medication Safety: The Ten Rights; medication orders; error prevention strategies; cultural & genetic considerations.
-Dosage Calculation Mastery: Conversions, oral liquids/tablets, injectables (IV, IM, SQ), IV drip rates (mL/hr, gtt/min), weight-based calculations.

Unit 2: Drugs Affecting the Autonomic Nervous System

-Cholinergic & Anticholinergic Drugs.
-Adrenergic & Antiadrenergic Drugs.

Unit 3: Drugs for Central Nervous System & Mental Health

-Analgesics: Opioids (agonists, antagonists), NSAIDs, adjuvants.
-Anesthetics (general/local).
-Antiepileptics; Drugs for Parkinson’s & Alzheimer’s.
-Psychotropic Drugs: Antidepressants (SSRI, SNRI, TCA), Antipsychotics (typical/atypical), Anxiolytics (benzodiazepines), Mood Stabilizers, CNS Stimulants.

Unit 4: Drugs for Cardiovascular & Renal Systems

-Antihypertensives: Diuretics, ACE Inhibitors, ARBs, Beta-blockers, Calcium Channel Blockers.
-Antiarrhythmics.
-Antianginals (Nitrates).
-Antilipemics (Statins).
-Drugs for Heart Failure (Digoxin, Inotropes).
-Anticoagulants, Antiplatelets, Thrombolytics.

Unit 5: Drugs for Other Body Systems

-Respiratory: Bronchodilators, Inhaled Corticosteroids, Antihistamines, Decongestants.
-Gastrointestinal: Antacids, H2 Blockers, PPIs, Antiemetics, Laxatives, Antidiarrheals.
-Endocrine: Insulins & Oral Hypoglycemics; Thyroid & Antithyroid Drugs; Corticosteroids.
-Anti-infectives: Principles of antibiotic therapy; major classes (Penicillins, Cephalosporins, Macrolides, Fluoroquinolones); Antivirals; Antifungals.
-Immunological & Chemotherapeutic: Overview of cytotoxic drugs, immunomodulators, and management of side effects.
-Fluids, Electrolytes, & Nutrition: Replacement therapies, vitamins/minerals.

Unit 6: Special Topics

-Herbal & Complementary Therapies (focus on drug-herb interactions).
-Substance Use Disorders & Pharmacotherapy.

Enrolled by

1 student

What You’ll Learn?

Apply the nursing process to safe medication administration, utilizing the "Ten Rights" and demonstrating clinical judgment to prevent, recognize, and respond to medication errors and adverse drug events.

Calculate accurate medication dosages for oral, injectable, and intravenous medications using dimensional analysis and other methods, and correctly interpret medication orders.

Explain core pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) to predict drug action, therapeutic effects, and potential interactions for individual patients.

Educate patients and families about their medications, including the purpose, proper administration, common and serious side effects, and important safety considerations (e.g., food interactions, storage).

Prioritize nursing assessments and interventions for patients receiving high-alert medications (e.g., anticoagulants, insulin, opioids, chemotherapeutic agents) to maximize therapeutic effects and minimize risks.

Identify lifespan considerations that affect pharmacotherapy, including physiological differences in pediatric, pregnant, and geriatric patients, and adjust nursing care accordingly.

1 Lesson1 Quiz

Chapter 22: Substance Use Disorders & Pharmacotherapy

Quiz

Certification

Choose from a list of project topics or create your own project idea that incorporates all skills learned (e.g., a mini-banking system, personal expense tracker, or inventory manager).