Chabot College
Fall 2009
Replaced Fall 2010
Course Outline for Nursing 64
PHARMACOLOGICAL BASIS OF THERAPEUTICS
Catalog Description
64 Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics
2.5 units
Introduction to the principles of clinical pharmacology, the administration of drugs as therapeutic agents, and the
interactions of drugs and body tissues. The purpose, action, and expected physiological
responses of therapeutic agents and dosage forms currently used in treating pain, infectious processes, and
selected acute and chronic disease states in the cardiovascular, endocrine, respiratory, autonomic nervous and
central nervous systems is explored as well as the integration of the concepts in the nursing process.
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of all courses in the first two semesters of the nursing curriculum and
concurrent enrollment (or satisfactory completion of) Nursing 59 or Nursing 60A or possession of a valid
California RN or LVN license. 2.5 hours lecture.
[Typical contact hours: 43.75]
Prerequisite Skills:
Before entering the course, the student should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
name the five rights of medication administration;
demonstrate competency in application of the components of the nursing process;
develop a nursing diagnosis based on physical assessment;
describe principles of administration of medication with implications for the elderly client;
complete an assessment of the thorax, skin, abdomen, oral cavity, and peripheral vascular
system, including verbalizing normal physiological changes across the life span;
administer medications by oral, intramuscular, subcutaneous, topical and enteral routes;
assess intravenous sites for abnormal signs;
calculate intravenous drip rates.
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
apply the basic concepts of pharmacology to the pharmacological classes of drugs;
demonstrate a basic understanding of therapeutic agents listed under Course Content in terms of:
a.
classification;
b.
clinical pharmacology;
c.
factors that influence the drug’s action;
d.
clinical use in the hospital and the community;
e.
routes of administration and parameters of safe dosage;
f.
undesirable side effects;
g.
adverse reactions and toxicity;
h.
contraindications for use;
i.
incompatibilities and interactions (when applicable);
identify the relationship between drug administration and the clinical assessment of the patient;
correlate basic pharmacological actions of drug classes with multiple clinical applications of
representative drugs;
apply the nursing process in the administration of pharmacological agents.
Course Content:
1.
Basic concepts:
a.
orientation to drugs
1)
legal classification
2)
pharmacological classification
3)
nomenclature
4)
pharmaceutical preparations
b.
interactions of drugs and body tissues
1)
factors influencing the effects of drugs
Chabot College
Course Outline for Nursing 64, page 2
Fall 2009
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Chabot College
2)
factors influencing drug metabolism
3)
drug distribution
4)
drug absorption
5)
metabolic and excretory factors influencing drug action
6)
types of drug action
7)
factors influencing reactivity to drugs
c.
toxicity
1)
adverse reactions (side effects, hypersensitivity, idiosyncrasy)
2)
dependence and tolerance
3)
safety and therapeutic index
d.
routes of administration
1)
types of relative comparison
2)
effect on drug action
3)
effect of desired response
Application of critical thinking concepts in the administration of drugs to the patient through the
use of the nursing process
Drugs influencing autonomic nervous system
a.
review of anatomy and physiology of the autonomic nervous system
b.
pharmacological classification and action of selected drugs
c.
cholinergic drugs
1)
antiglaucoma miotics
d.
adrenergic drugs
e.
autonomic blocking agents
1)
muscarinic
2)
beta-type adrenergic blocking agents
3)
neuromuscular blocking agents
f.
histamines and anti-histamines
1)
H-receptor antagonists
Drugs acting on the central nervous system
a.
drugs used in psychopharmacology
1)
mood stabilizers
2)
antidepressants
3)
antipsychotics
4)
anxiolytics
b.
sedative-hypnotics
1)
barbiturates
2)
non-barbiturates
3)
general anesthesia
c.
analgesics
1)
narcotics
2)
non-narcotics, antipyretics and anti-inflammatories
Drugs acting on the cardiovascular system
a.
digitalis and related drugs
b.
antidysrhythmic drugs
c.
diuretics and kidney function
d.
electrolytes
e.
coronary vasodilators
f.
anti-anginal drugs
g.
anticoagulants
h.
antihypertensive drugs
Anti-microbial agents
a.
principles of therapy
b.
antibiotics
c.
antifungals
d.
antivirals
Adrenocorticosteroid drugs
Course Outline for Nursing 64, page 3
Fall 2009
Methods of Presentation:
1.
2.
3.
Lecture/discussion
Audio-visual aids
Guest speakers
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1.
Typical Assignments
a. Take home and in-class case study assignments (example) A patient is prescribed an
antipsychotic drug. List the critical documentation needed to evaluate the patient’s response.
b. Critical thinking exercises such as: comparison of the use of DMARDs and NSAIDs in relation
to: the inflammatory process, pain, and fever
2.
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a. Quizzes
b. Written assignments
c. Final examination
Textbook(s) (typical):
Pharmacological Basis of Nursing Practice, Lilley, et al., C.V. Mosby, 2007
Special Student Materials:
None
Revised 09/2008
Ncowan Nsg.64.doc.cg