Pharmacology (Nursing): Pharmacology - I

Course Description:

\The course emphasizes on knowledge about drugs, their classification, therapeutic effects, anticipated reactions, toxic effects, and abuse. At this level, the emphasis is on application of concepts to patient care situations, including patient assessment, drug dosage calculations and administration, patient and family teaching and documentation of patient responses to specific medications. Major emphasis will be placed on nursing management practices that minimize adverse effects and maximize therapeutic effects for patients, including the role of the nurse in pharmacological research.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the course, each learner will be able to

1. Discuss the effects of different drugs on human body for example on gastrointestinal system, genitourinary system and immunology system
2. Relate the knowledge of drug with in terms of indication of use which would include disorders of different systems
3. Explain the rationale for using a particular drug/s for a patient.
4. Select appropriate nursing interventions for drugs given in clinical situations.
5. Impart teaching to the patient/family regarding medications, based on their needs.
6. Utilize nursing process to evaluate the need for and the effectiveness of the drug/s given to the patients.
7. Integrate the knowledge of legal and ethical issues in administration of drug.
8. Incorporate relevant research findings with guidance in development of new drug/s as a foundation for nursing practice.
9. Incorporate cognitive, interpersonal and technical skill derived from the humanities, natural and behavioral sciences when administrating medication to clients, keeping in mind principles of different drugs.
10. Calculate drug dosage accurately when administering oral and parental medications.

TEACHING/LEARNING STRATEGIES:

Lecture/tutorials/handouts, self-directed learning, drug cards and quiz.

UNIT OBJECTIVES:   UNIT I:        Introduction to Pharmacology

Discuss the terminologies related to pharmacology

1. Discuss the history of pharmacology briefly
2. Identify the purposes of medication
3. Identify the source of medication
4. Discuss the classification of drugs
5. Describe the three type of drug supply system.
6. Discuss the drugs standards and legislation.
7. Identify resource to collect and utilize drug information.
8. Learn to prepare drugs cards

UNIT II: Drugs Used to Treat and Prevent Infections

In this unit students will begin to gain an understanding of the types of drug category that are used to prevent and treat infections, their mechanism of action, indication, therapeutic and adverse effects, precautions and interactions of drugs. Emphasize will be on the nursing measures/ client education required to ensure safety of the patient

At the completion of this unit the students will be able to;

1. Define the most commonly used drug category that is used to prevent and treat infections including antibiotics, antifungal, antiphrastic, antimalarials and antiviral drugs.
2. Briefly discuss action and effects of selected drug category
3. List some of the most commonly used drugs for each drug category
4. Discuss the nursing measures/patient education which can be taken if patient is using to treat and prevent infections.

UNIT III: Drugs Affecting the Gastrointestinal System

In this unit, learners will be able to gain knowledge about the drugs affecting gastrointestinal system, their mechanism of action, indication side effects and nursing consideration.

1. Discuss common symptoms / disorders for which gastrointestinal drugs are used
2. Describe uses and effects of gastrointestinal drugs
3. Describe the classification and action of drugs on the body
4. Identify the expected and adverse reactions of gastrointestinal drugs
5. Discuss the nursing responsibility related to gastrointestinal drugs
6. Calculate the drugs dosage accurately.

UNIT IV: Drugs Affecting Haematology System

In this unit, the learners would discuss / describe the effect of drugs on haematology system. This unit will also help learners to integrate the knowledge of drug to use to treat problems associated with hematology system. It also deals with their mechanism of action, nursing action required to ensure safety of clients using these drugs. 

By the completion of this section the learners will be able to:

Describe uses and effects of drugs affecting haematology system

1. Describe the classification of drugs used in hematology disorders
2. Discuss the action of haematology drugs on the body
3. Identify the expected and adverse reactions of drugs affecting haematology system
4. Discuss the nursing responsibility related to drugs affecting haematology system
5. Calculate the drugs dosage accurately.

Unit V. Anti-neoplastic-Drugs

In this unit, the learners would discuss/describe the effect of antineoplastic drugs. It also deals with their mechanism of action, nursing action required to ensure safety of clients using these drugs.

By the completion of this section the learners will be able to:

1. Describe uses and effects of anti-neoplastic drugs
2. Describe the classification of anti-neoplastic drugs
3. Discuss the action of haematology drugs on the body
4. Identify the expected and adverse reactions of anti-neoplatic drugs
5. Discuss the nursing responsibility related to anti-neoplastic drugs
6. Calculate the drugs dosage accurately.