Chabot College
Course Outline for Nursing 64
PHARMACOLOGICAL BASIS OF THERAPEUTICS
Catalog Description
64 Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics
Fall, 2004
2.5 units
Introduction to the principles of drug therapy, clinical pharmacology, and toxicology; therapeutic agents and dosage forms in current use with the application of the nursing process.
Prerequisites: Completion of Nursing 55, 56, 61, 69 74, (or the equivalent) with a “C” or higher.
Satisfactory completion of or concurrent enrollment in Nursing 57, 58, 64, 75 or possession of a valid California LVN license. 2.5 hours.
[Typical contact hours: 26.25]
Prerequisite Skills :
Before entering the course, the student should be able to:
1.
2. name the five rights of medication administration; develop a nursing diagnosis based on physical assessment;
Expected Outcomes for Students :
Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
1. apply the basic concepts of pharmacology to the pharmacological classes of drugs;
2. demonstrate a basic understanding of therapeutic agents listed under Course Content in terms of: a. b. classification; clinical pharmacology; c. d. e. factors that influence action; clinical use in the hospital and the community; routes of administration and parameters of safe dosage;
3.
4.
5.
Course Content:
1. f. g. h. i. undesirable side effects; adverse reactions and toxicity; contraindications for use; 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.
Basic concepts: a. Orientation to drugs
1)
2) legal classification pharmacological classification b.
2)
3)
4)
5)
3)
4) nomenclature pharmaceutical preparations
Interactions of drugs and body tissues
1) factors influencing the effects of drugs factors influencing drug metabolism drug distribution drug absorption metabolic and excretory factors influencing drug action

Chabot College
Course Outline for Nursing 64, page 2
Fall, 2004 c.
6)
7) types of drug action factors influencing reactivity to drugs
Toxicity
1) adverse reactions (side effects, hypersensitivity, idiosyncrasy)
2) dependence and tolerance
2. d.
3) safety and therapeutic index
Routes of administration
1)
2)
3) types of relative comparison effect on drug action effect of desired response
Drugs influencing autonomic nervous system a. Review of anatomy and physiology of the autonomic nervous system b. c.
Pharmacological classification and action of selected drugs
Cholinergic drugs d. e. f.
1) antiglaucoma miotics
Adrenergic drugs
Autonomic blocking agents
1)
2) muscarinic beta-type adrenergic blocking agents
3) neuromuscular blocking agents
Histamines and anti-histamines
1) H-receptor antagonists
3.
4.
Drugs acting on the central nervous system a. Drugs used in psychopharmacology
1) mood stabilizers
2) antidepressants b.
3) antipsychotics
4) anxiolytics
Sedative-hypnotics c.
1) barbiturates
2) non-barbiturates
3) general anesthesia
Analgesics
1) Narcotics
2) non-narcotics, antipyretics and anti-inflammatories
Drugs affecting on the cardiovascular system a. digitalis and related drugs b. antidysrhythmic drugs
5. c. d. e. diuretics and kidney function electrolytes coronary vasodilators f. g. anti-anginal drugs anticoagulants h. antihypertensive drugs
Anti-microbial agents a. b. c. d. principles of therapy antibiotics antifungals antivirals
6. Adrenocorticosteroid drugs
Methods of Presentation:
1. Lecture/discussion
2.
3.
Audio-visual aids
Guest speakers

Chabot College
Course Outline for Nursing 64, page 3
Fall, 2004
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1. Typical Assignments a. Case study assignments (take-home and in-class) b. Critical thinking exercises
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress a. Quizzes b. Written final examination
Textbook (Typical) :
Pharmacology and the Nursing Process , Lilley/Aucker, Mosby, 2002.
Special Student Materials:
None
Nc/slj: a\n64outline.worddoc
Revised 10/03