MOLLOY UNIVERSITY
THE BARBARA H. HAGAN SCHOOL OF NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES
Undergraduate Program 2390 Pharmacology 1 : Implications and Practice
Instructor: Deborah Parrella MSN, FNP-C Modality: Face To Face
Office: Hagan 223
Telephone: 516-323-3677
E-mail: dparrella@molloy.edu (preferred/quickest response)
Office Hours: Thursdays 2:45 – 4:45pm and by appointment
NUR 239: Pharmacology I: Implications and Practice
This Level II theory and laboratory course is an introduction to pharmacology for humanistic
nursing practice. The pharmacological content is integrated with the skills necessary for safe
and therapeutic medication administration. The student will become familiar with the
complexity of the medication administration process and the multifaceted role of the nurse.
Pharmacological concepts, legal implications, and various drug classifications will be presented.
Content related to the importance of research and technology as well as the impact of current
social, economic, political, and health care trends on pharmacotherapeutics is discussed.
Nursing implications of genetics/genomics discussed. Medication dosage calculations,
administration techniques, documentation, communication, and patient teaching will be
addressed. Application of the nursing process, assessment, and safety is emphasized. (Offered
Fall, Spring) 2 credits
Pre-Requisites: BIO 1200,1210, 2450; CHE 1120; PSY 1110; SOC 1010/1660
Pre/Co-Requisites: NUR 1290,1390, 2290 Co -Requisites: NUR 2090, BIO 2470
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. Understand the concepts of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics as important
components for safe and therapeutic medication administration.
2. Explain critical thinking associated with the process of safe and therapeutic medication
administration.
3. Identify the pharmacological knowledge related to specific medication categories.
4. Demonstrate critical thinking and identify patient teaching necessary to ensure the safe
and therapeutic administration of medications.
5. Utilize technology and research in the medication administration process to promote
quality patient outcomes.
6. Identify the role of the professional nurse in the safe and therapeutic administration of
medications in clinical practice.
7. Demonstrate competence in the psychomotor skills associated with medication
administration via various routes.
8. Perform calculations necessary for accurate medication dosages.
9. Explain specific economic, legal, political, and ethical issues that can affect the
development and release of new drug therapies.
REQUIRED TEXTS
Craven, R., Hirnle, L., Henshaw, C. (2020). Fundamentals of nursing: Concepts and
Competencies for Practice. (9th Ed.) Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott. ISBN -13: 07819752120429 ISBN-10: 1975120426
McCuistion, L. E., Vuljoin-DiMaggio, K., Winton, M.B., Yeager, J.J. (2020). Pharmacology:
A patient-centered nursing process approach. (10th ed.) St. Louis, MO: Saunders.
ISBN-13: 978-0323643477
ISBN-10: 0323642470. (9th edition is OK)
Vallerand, A. H., Sanoski, C.A. (2020). Davis’s drug guide for nurses. Philadelphia: F.A.
Davis. (or any other drug guide specific to nursing) ISBN-13: 978-1719640053
ISBN-10” 171964005X
Recommended Texts
Craven, R., Hirnle, L., Henshaw, C. (2020). Procedure checklists for fundamentals of
nursing. (9th Ed.) Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott.
McCuistion, L. E., Vuljoin-DiMaggio, K., Winton, M.B., Yeager, J.J. (2020). Study guide
for Pharmacology: A patient-centered nursing process approach. (10th Ed.) St.
Louis, MO: Saunders
ISBN-13: 978-0323672603 ISBN-10: 0323672604
Zerwekh, J. (2018). Mosby’s pharmacology memory notecards: Visual, mnemonic, and
memory aids for nurses (5th ed.) Elsevier
ISBN-13: 978-0323539516 ISBN10: 0323549519
Additional Resources
ATItesting.com (Pharmacology and Calculation tests) ismp.org
jointcommission.org Molloy.edu
Nurse Practice Act
COURSE CONTENT
I. Introduction to Pharmacology
1. Legislation
a. FDA
b. Phases of Testing
c. Institutional Polices
2. Responsibility and Accountability
a. Nurse Practice act.
b. Ethical and Legal Implications
II Principles of Drug Action
1. Pharmacodynamics
2. Pharmacokinetics
3. Pharmacotherapeutics
a. Dosage
b. Therapeutic effect
c. Side/Adverse effects
d. Interactions
4. Special Considerations
a. Age
b. Gender
c. Pregnancy and Lactation
d. Sociocultural
III. Medications/CAM affecting the Endocrine System
1. Anti-Diabetic Medications
2. Thyroid
3. Corticosteroids
4. Growth Hormone
IV. Anti-infective medications/CAM
1. Antibiotics
2. Antiviral Agents
3. Antifungal Agents
4. Antiprotozoal Agents
5. Anthelmintic Agents
6. UTI / HIV
Laboratory Component
I. Components of the Medication Administration Process
1. Medication Delivery Systems
2. Modes of Transcription
3. Types of Medication Orders
4. JCAHO abbreviations and safety goals
5. Medication Administration Record and Formats
II. Pharmacological reasoning of Medication Administration
1. Pre- medication assessment
A. Medication reconciliation
B. Medication Profile- prescribed and Patient prescribed
C. Patient History
D. Physical Assessment
E. Lab Data Assessment
F. Six Rights
2. Inter-professional Communication
A. Ensuring essential components of medication orders
B. Ongoing evaluation of patient response to medication regimen
3. Nurse patient communication
A. Patient adherence to medication regimen
B. Patient education/ Patient teaching
4. Environmental Systems
Computer Systems
A. Medication Dispensing Systems
5. Post- Medication Assessment
A. Desired therapeutic effects
B. Adverse effects
C. Anticipatory problem solving
6. Documentation
A. Accurate and complete
B. Medication Error Reporting
III. Non-Parenteral Medications Routes
1. Oral
a. Liquid
b. Tablets
c. Capsules
d. Sublingual
e. Buccal
2. Enteral
3. Transdermal
4. Metered Dose Inhalants
5. Suppository
6. Otic
7. Ophthalmic
8.
Topical Ointments and creams
Equipment
Safety Considerations
IV. Parenteral Medication Routes
1. Intradermal
2. Subcutaneous (insulin, heparin)
a. Sites
3. Intramuscular
a. Sites
4. Equipment
a. Needles
b. Ampules, vials
c. Syringes
5. Complications and prevention
6. Safety considerations
7. IV content review: primary content done in Nur 209
V. Associated Dosage Calculations
1. Conversion Table
2. Calculation rules and guidelines
3. Oral and liquid medications
4. Injectable medications
5. Reconstitution
6. IVPB rates (drops per minute and mL per hour)
7. Dosage based on weight
8. Safe dose range
COURSE POLICY
Laboratory component:
Competent medication administration is critical to patient safety. Students must complete
2 psychomotor skills to ensure safe medication administration. Students are expected to practice
each skill until mastery is achieved. 1 to 2 hours of psychomotor practice per skill is
recommended.
Review classes for skills may be offered throughout the semester by the lab staff.
Students may attend a review class only AFTER instruction by their lecture faculty. NO student
will be permitted to attend a review unless first instructed by the faculty.
Skill mastery will be validated by a skill test in the nursing laboratory on or before the
date indicated on the course schedule for each skill test.
Failure to successfully complete a skill test (including retakes) by the date indicated on the
course schedule will result in the loss of ONE (1) POINT FROM THE FINAL COURSE
GRADE FOR EACH LATE SKILL TEST.
Students who do not pass the first attempt of a skill test must remediate and wait until the
next day before completing a second attempt.
Students who do not pass a skill component after being tested twice by the laboratory staff
will be tested a third time by 2 nursing faculty members. Failure to pass at this time will denote
an “F” in the course. Students MUST successfully complete all skill tests in order to pass the
course.
Failure to successfully complete all of the required skill testing by the date indicated
on the course schedule will result in an “F” for the course.
Math component:
Students will take the Level I Drug Calculation Proficiency Exam near the end of the semester
and must achieve a 90 or better in order to pass. Students who do not pass on the first attempt
may remediate and take a repeat examination at a time to be arranged by the instructor. Students
who do not achieve a 90 or better on the second attempt must take NUR 070. Students may not
progress in the nursing program until they have successfully completed NUR 070 if required.
COURSE / SECTION REQUIREMENTS
Evaluation:
1 paper/presentation
5%
2 math quizzes @ 2.5 % each
5%
2 Content Exams @ 25% each
50%
10 ATI assignments @ 1% each
10%
2 Laboratory Skills Tests
P/F
Math Proficiency Level Test
P/F
Comprehensive Final Exam
30%
Total
100%
Tests: Tests will consist of mostly multiple-choice questions, with an occasional short answer
or essay question included, or fill-ins in the case of math quizzes. They will be given at the
beginning of the class period. Each Content Exam will be approximately 60 minutes, after
which the class will resume. Math quizzes will be 30 minutes. It is expected that students abide
by the Molloy University Code of Conduct as found in the student handbook. The tests will be
given on-line using a lockdown browser. Technological requirements for the tests may be found
on your Lion’s Den home page or on the syllabus page of this course. Anyone caught cheating
will receive an automatic 0 and be reported to the Office of the Dean of Academic Affairs for
further discipline.
Tests will not be reviewed in class. Students are encouraged to make individual
appointments to review tests during the semester as needed. Students will not have access to the
actual test questions, but may review pertinent topics individualized for their needs.
that was given to the class originally, so please make every effort to take the test at the scheduled
time.
ATI Assignments: On-line pharmacology tutorials and practice test: Log on to the ATI
website at www.atitesting.com to create a student account for yourself if you haven’t already
done so. (If you have any trouble accessing the site, please see our ATI coordinator, Professor
Alaine Stadelman, in Hagan LL 007, 323-3726.) Click on “Resources for Students” and locate
the folder section labeled Tutorials. Choose the topic. Work through the content tutorial and take
the review test. If you do not wish to do the entire module in one sitting, the program will
bookmark your work and you can start from where you left off at a later time. If you do not
interact with the program, it will shut off the timer automatically. When you have completed the
test, print out the “Module Report” (which will give you both the time spent and the test results)
and submit on the due date (details on submission to follow). You may take the post-test more
than once to achieve your desired grade. Late assignments will not be accepted without prior
request for extension. Late assignments will lose 0.5 point per day, and no assignments will be
accepted greater than 5 days post the due date. The ATI combined grade is worth 10% of your
final grade.
ATI 1-7 Can be found in in ATI, under the “Learn” tab
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Introduction to Pharmacology (in “Pharmacology Made Easy 4.0”
Medication Administration (in “Engage Fundamentals RN)
Oral Medications (3-6 can be found in “Skills Modules”, “Learning”)
Injectable Medications
Powdered Medications
Parenteral Medications
IV Therapy and Peripheral Access
ATI 8-14 Can be Found in ATI, under the “Learn” tab
8. Medication Administration Tutorial ( 9 - 15 can be found in “Tutorial - Dosage
Calculation and Safe Med Administration 3.0)
9. Oral Medication Administration
10. Powdered Medication Administration
11. Injectable Medication Administration
12. Parenteral (IV) Medication Administration
13. Doses by Weight
14. Safe Dose
Presentation Assignment:
The requirements for “Communicating Across the Curriculum” will be fulfilled by the written
assignment described separately as well as an informal oral presentation of the same. Detailed
instructions are in the course assignment.
1. The written portion should be typed. All information should be in complete sentences. A
Canvas copy is due on the date indicated on the syllabus at the beginning of class.
2. The assignment shall be graded according to the rubric attached to the assignment.
Spring 2024
Section 06 Thurs 12:15 - 2:45 Hagan 003
Section 08 Thurs 5 – 7:30 pm Hagan 021
Text: McCuistion LE, Vulgoin-DiMaggio,K, Winon, MB, Yeager, JJ (2020) Pharmacology: A patient centered nursing process
approach. (10th ed) St. Louis, MO: Saunders ISBN-13:978-0323643477 (9th edition is ok)
Must also purchase recent Davis’s drug guide (see Syllabus)
Week#/Date
Topic / Lecture Content - (review text chapters before
lecture)
To Do Prior to Class
Before
Semester
Begins
Prior to first lecture - memorize “Conversions” - the
conversions sheet is on Canvas under Math module. **
Conversions must be memorized prior to starting this
class!
- You must know how to convert micrograms /
milligrams/ grams / milliliter / liter
- You must know how many mLs in an ounce
- You must know how many mLs in a teaspoon
Read everything in the “start here” module and review
Syllabus.
Intro To Pharm 1, pharm basics
Drug Development and Ethical Considerations
FDA, regulation
See above, please make sure all of this is done.
Complete Math Sheets 1 and 2.
Math Sheets - Come to class with any questions you have on
the math. Print out the math worksheets, bring a copy to
class showing your work.
Math – READ
Chapter 11– take notes – do ALL of the practice problems
and bring any questions to class
1
1/18
Prior to first class Read
Ch. 1 Drug Development and Ethical Considerations
Ch. 4 Complementary and Alternative Medications
Ch. 8 The Nursing Process and Patient Centered Care
Start working on ATIs
2
1/25
Pharmacokinetics
Bring Davis Drug Guide to class today
Read
Chapter 3 Pharmacokinetics
Complete Math Sheet 3
3
2/1
Safety and Quality, Enteral Administration
Read
Chapter 9 – Safety and Quality
Chapter 10 – Administration
ATI Assignments #1 (1 through 7) due next week
Complete Math Sheet 4
4 2/8
Administration – Injections
SQ and IM injections lab
Study for Content Test #1 next week
Read
Chapter 10 - injections and read through Craven skills sheets
before next week – Bring Craven IM and SC skills modules
(on canvas) to class during your lab.
Math Sheet 5
Starting tomorrow you can sign up for your SC and/or IM
skills testing – this is due by 3/7/24
5 2/15
Content Test # 1 (covering weeks 1-3 intro/legislation,
pharmacokinetics, safety and enteral administration)
Bring fully charged laptops to class
Math Sheet 6 and 7
Read
Chapter 47 – (Insulins ) through page 692
Insulins
Begin oral antidiabetics
6 2/22
Medication Error assignment Math Review Slides
Math quiz 1 next week
7 2/29
Math Quiz 1
Bring fully charged laptops to class
Oral anti-diabetics con’t
Read
Chapter 47 – finish remaining chapter antidiabetics
ATI Assignment #2 (8 through 14) is due next week
8 3/7
Endocrine – thyroid, parathyroid, adrenals, etc.
IM and SC skills lab testing is due by today
Review for Content Exam # 2 on 3/21
Read
Chapter 46 – endocrine medications
3/14
No Class – Enjoy Spring Break
Study for content test #2 Next Week –
9 3/21
Content Test #2 - injections, insulins, anti-diabetic meds,
endocrine, special populations – bring fully charge laptop
to class
Read
Chapter 26 – Antibacterials through page 355
Math Quiz #2 after break
Intro to Antibiotics – PCNs and Cephalosporins
3/28
No Class – Easter Break
10 4/4
Math Quiz 2 – bring fully charged laptop to class
Antibiotics #2
Macrolides, tetracyclines, aminoglycosides etc.
Read
Chapter 26 – Antibacterials page 355 - end
Drug Calculations Exams are next week
11 4/11
Anti-infectives #3
Antituberculars, antifungals, antivirals, antihelmintics
Read
Chapter 27 – anti-tuberculars, anti-fungals, anti-virals and
Chapter 28 anti-malarials, anthelmintics, peptides
12 4/18
UTI / HIV
Special Populations
13 4/25
Med Cards Due
Med Error Discussion
Review for Final
5/2
STUDY DAY
5/9
Final Exam - cumulative
Read
Chapter 48 – urinary disorders
Chapter 29 HIV and AIDS medications
Chapter 5 -pediatric considerations
Chapter 6 – geriatric considerations