RNSG 1034 Pharmacology for Nursing
This course provides an introduction to nursing pharmacology that integrates the concepts of physiology, pathophysiology, chemistry, and nursing fundamentals to build a foundation for administering drug therapy to patients. Using a simple to complex approach, key content areas are presented to help conceptualize the important components related to nursing pharmacology. Incorporated into this course are major principles of mathematics such as ratio-proportion, fractions, decimals, and conversion between the various systems of weights and measures. Students will learn how to competently prepare and administer medications including oral, subcutaneous, intradermal, intramuscular, intravenous formulas and injections, and reconstitution of solutions. The basic concepts of pharmacology, such as drug testing and approval, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, therapeutic and toxic effects, dosage calculations, and challenges related to drug therapy, provide the foundation from which drug therapy associated with specific body systems can be addressed. Discussion of the major drug groups focuses on therapeutic actions and indications, pharmacokinetics, contraindications and cautions, adverse effects, clinically important drug-to-drug interactions and nursing considerations which emphasize the nursing process and focus on patient care and teaching. Prototypes of the major drug groups are emphasized. Lifespan considerations, evidence for best practice, patient safety, and critical thinking are integrated throughout the course.
Contact Hours
4