NURS 141 - Pharmacology for Nurses I

1 Credits: (1 lecture)

Course Description
This course introduces students to basic concepts of pharmacology and safe nursing practice in medication administration. Concepts include: accurate dose calculation, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, cultural and ethical considerations related to pharmacology, and legal implications of medicine administration. The techniques used to maximize safety in the administration of medications are emphasized. 

Prerequisite Admission to the Nursing Program.Corequisite NURS 101, BIOL 131, PHED 125, and PSYC 201.

Frandsen, G., & Pennington, S. Abrams’ clinical drug therapy: Rationales for nursing practice.11thed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer, Lippincott Course Point Plus, 2018 

 Taylor, C., Lynn, p., & Barlett, J. (2019). Fundamentals of Nursing: The Art and Science of Person-Centered Care (9th ed.). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer. 

 Cuellar, E. Tina (ed.) HESI Comprehensive Review for NCLEX-RN Exam, 6th ed., St. Louis: ELSEVIER, 2020. 

 Lippincott. Nursing 2022 Drug Handbook, 40th ed., Wolters Kluwer, 2019.  

 Lynn, Pamela.  Taylor’s Handbook of Clinical Nursing Skills, 5th ed., Philadelphia:  Wolters Kluwer, 2019. 

 Electronic Resources for NURS 141: 

DocuCare by Lippincott 

CoursePoint+ for Taylor:  Fundamentals of Nursing 

CoursePoint+ for Lynn:  Clinical Nursing Skills 

CoursePoint+ for Fransden: Abrams clinical drug therapy 

CoursePoint: Buchholz: Henke’s med-math 

Objectives
The student will be able to 

A. State the principles used to safely administer medications. 

B. Identify personal and socio-cultural factors that influence an individual’s compliance with prescribed therapy. 

C. Select information that must be communicated to ensure safety when administering medications. 

D. Calculate safe doses of medications accurately. 

E. Describe the role of health teaching related to medications. 

F. List measures used to prevent medication errors. 

G. Examine how technology is used to increase safety in medication administration. 

H. Explain how the nurse can be a patient advocate for issues relating to pharmacotherapy. 

Content
A. Principles of medication administration  

B. Compliance with prescribed therapy 

C. Communication related to medication administration 

D. Dosage calculation 

E. Health teaching related to medication administration 

F. Processes for medication safety 

G.Technology in medication administration 

H. Advocacy related to pharmacotherapy 

Student Evaluation
Course evaluation will be based on examinations, quizzes, and case studies. 

 

Bibliography
Gulanik, M. and Myers, J.  Nursing Care Plans: Diagnoses, Interventions, and Outcomes. 7th ed. St. Louis:Elsevier Mosby, 2011. Print. 

Fishbach, Frances, and Marshall Dunning. A Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Test. 8th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott, 2009. Print. 

Hinds, Mary M., et al, eds. Evolve Reach Testing and Remediation Comprehensive Review for NCLEX-RN Exam. 3rd  ed. St. Louis: Mosby, 2011. Print. 

Lewis, S. et al. Medical-Surgical Nursing: Assessment and Management of Clinical Problems, 10th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier Mosby, 2016. Print. 

Potter, Patricia A., and Anne Griffin Perry. Fundamentals of Nursing.9th ed. St. Louis: Mosby, 2015. Print. 

Putnam, Kathy. Pharmacology: Case Study Workbook. Boston: Jones, 2011. Print.