AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
PHARMACOLOGY FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
HPRS 1273/1073 (ONL)
Professor:
Office Phone:
Fax Number:
Email Address:
Office Hours:
Syn# and Section#
Course Time/location: Online by Modules and audio podcasts
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Additional staff contact information:
Students with questions about the course should contact their instructor. For other
questions regarding the Allied Health Science Department (ALHS), students may
contact:
Gaston Gomez, Administrative Assistant for ALHS
Phone: 512-223-5870
Email: ggomez1@austincc.edu
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I.
Course Description:
This course is designed to give the students basic pharmacology terminology with a major emphasis on
major drug classification, mechanism of action, uses, side effects, and client education, where applicable.
An introduction to prescription abbreviations will be covered. This course is designed for Medical Coding,
Medical Assisting, and Dental Hygiene students. This is not an acceptable course for Clinical Nursing,
Surgical Technologists, and Emergency Medical Service students.
-Pre-requisites:
Completion of 4 credit hours of Human Anatomy (i.e., BIOL 2304/2101) with a grade of C or better
OR
Completion of 4 credit hours of Anatomy & Physiology (i.e., BIOL 2404) with a grade of C or better
OR
pass the pre-Pharmacology assessment examination (equivalent of BIOL 2404)
Proof of pre-reqs must be submitted via fax by 5pm, Thursday, the first week of class. (See above for fax
number)
Course Type: W.
Student Readiness:
Skill: E, which is reading and writing.
II.
Text and Materials:
Mandatory:
1.
Orientation: Students must complete a mandatory orientation for this course. Failure to complete the
orientation may result in the student being dropped from the course during the first week of the
semester. Access orientation information by logging in to BlackBoard at
https://acconline.austincc.edu/ and reading the course announcements.
2.
Core Concepts in Pharmacology. Norman Holland and Michael Adams, Prentice Hall: current edition
3.
4.
Technological requirements: High speed, broadband internet access is required. This is available to
students at ACC campuses.
Technological expectations: Students should be able to utilize ACC’s on-line Blackboard site.
Blackboard may be accessed at: https://acconline.austincc.edu/
Recommended:
5.
A medical dictionary (Taber's)
6.
Health Professionals Drug Guide (current year). Margaret Shannon and Company, Prentice Hall.
7.
Website: www.library.austincc.edu
8.
Support services link: In addition to any help students may receive from their instructor, students can
also obtain help with their distance learning course at: http://dl.austincc.edu/students/resources.php
III.
Instructional Methodology:
Theory will be presented through oral lecture presentations and will be facilitated by handouts, media, and
video presentation. Additional research will be encouraged through use of the Internet and other reliable
resources.
IV.
Course Rationale/Course Objectives
Pharmacology is a special language that is used in the medical field by various health care professionals.
Introductions to pharmacology will familiarize the beginning health science student to medication usage
and their classification for a better understanding of the patient/client treatment. This course will provide
valuable drug information to the health science student in order to provide the best patient care possible.
V.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon Completion of this course, the student will be able to master the following objectives.
Unit I: Introduction to Pharmacology
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
Define the principle concepts of pharmaceutical terms introduced.
Recall common prescription abbreviations related to route of administration and frequency of
dosage.
Name four sources of drugs.
Identify a selected list of drugs according to generic and proprietary name by the use of a
reference.
Review the different drug legislation passed starting from 1906-1983.
Identify all the different routes of administration of medications to a patient.
Identify the different dosage form types available for medications.
Identify drugs according to the current schedule proposed by the controlled substance act.
Define the principles of drug administration.
Identify a select list of drug adverse reactions and patient teaching by use of a reference book.
Identify the therapy used in treating certain disease processes.
Discuss the mechanism of action of major classifications of drugs.
Recall the side effects associated with major classifications of drugs.
Discuss appropriate patient teaching in regards to specific drug therapy classifications.
State the uses of major drug classifications.
Apply the drug therapy information used to treat certain disease processes.
Define Local and general anesthetics
Discuss Local and general anesthetics as it applies in pain management.
VI:
Course Goals:
Unit I
Define the basic terminology associated with the study of pharmacology as stated in course objectives.
Unit II
The student will recall, describe, and apply the major classification of drugs, which are to include, but not
limited to: uses, mechanism of action, side effects, and other pertinent information needed for that
particular drug category. The following drug categories will be covered in unit II.
1. Anti-infectives
2. Respiratory System Drug Therapy
3. Antineoplastics/Immunosuppresives
Unit III
The student will recall, describe, and apply the major classification of drugs, which are to include, but not
limited to: uses, mechanism of action, side effects, and other pertinent information needed for that
particular drug category. The following drug categories will be covered in Unit III.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Cardiovascular System Drug Therapy
Anti-hypertensive / Urinary System Drug Therapy
Anti-coagulant/Coagulant/ and Thrombolytic Enzymes Drug Therapy
Anti-hyperlipidemics Drug Therapy
Unit IV
The student will recall, describe, and apply the major classification of drugs, which are to include, but not
limited to: uses, mechanism of action, side effects, and other pertinent information needed for that
particular drug category. The following drug categories will be covered in Unit IV.
8.
9.
10.
Central Nervous System Drug Therapy
Autonomic Nervous System Therapy
Local and General Anesthetics as it applies in pain Management.
Unit V
The student will recall, describe, and apply the major classification of drugs, which are to include, but not
limited to: uses, mechanism of action, side effects, and other pertinent information needed for that
particular drug category. The following drug categories will be covered in Unit V.
11. Endocrine System Drug Therapy(Diabetes)
12. Gastro-Intestinal Tract Drug Therapy
13. Emphasis on oral drug induced side effect.
VII.
SCAN COMPETANCIES:
Recently, the U.S. Department of Labor established the Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary
Skills (SCANS) to examine the demands of the workplace and whether the nation's students are capable of
meeting those demands.
How SCAN Competencies are incorporated into a Pharmacology course:
VIII.
1.
Resources:
 Manages time by completing Pharmacology assignments and examinations by their due dates.
 Uses library and student services as valuable resources.
2.
Interpersonal:
 Students are given the opportunity to participate as a member of a team when doing group
activities, exercises, and discussion boards online.
 Teach other students in group discussions on particular topics.
 Obtaining counseling/patient teaching therapeutic information to better service and educate
clients/patients.
 Through critical thinking case studies, students will negotiate to arrive at a clinical decision.
3.
Information:
 Organizes and maintains information through lecture and for exam preparation.
 Uses computer to process information for special assignments.
 Acquires and evaluates information by doing Internet searches for drug classification special
assignment (mini-report) and drug flash cards.
4.
Systems:
 Discuss how medications relate to and affect each other (drug interactions).
 Discuss how medications relate to , affect and cure disease states (drug-disease state interactions)
 Discuss how food affects medications (drug food interactions)
5.
Basic Skills:
 All basic skills (read and listen) are used in learning and applying Pharmacology to better service
the patient.
6.
Thinking Skills:
 All thinking skills are used in Pharmacology by students preparing for exams, group work, case
studies, and class discussions.
7.
Personal Qualities:
 Pharmacology students will show responsibility by completing assignments and examinations on
time.
 Students should have confidence in Pharmacology knowledge when working with medications in
the clinical environment by completing this course.
8.
Technology:
 Use the computer to reinforce concepts taught in class through the use of CD-ROM educational
software, where applicable, and, blackboard use.
 Use of Blackboard (BB) to access assignments.
Course Evaluation/Grading:
A. Examinations:
1. There will be (5) five exams given, each representing 15% or 100 points of your total course
grade. This will represent 79% or 500 points of your total course grade. The exam format will
vary in format. The exam may have multiple choice, true-false, abbreviations, and matching
questions. The exam will be given at the testing center.
2.
The last exam is not comprehensive. The last exam will only test on the last bit of material
presented in Unit V.
B.
3.
No make-up examinations will be given unless prior arrangements have been made and/or
extreme circumstances exist at the scheduled time of the examination. The Professor will consider
these circumstances after talking with the student.
4.
No re-takes on any unit examination will be allowed.
5.
It is the student's responsibility to take the examinations by the scheduled deadlines. Refer to the
attached proposed study and testing schedule.
Activity Points: 21% or 131 points of the course grade can come from blackboard online quizzes for
a grade, assignments appropriate for the topic of discussion, and case studies pertaining to drug
classification and treatment of diseases or conditions.
**These Activity points and Exams represent 100% of the course grade. ***
**Assignments will not be accepted late if applicable. No exceptions**
*************************************************************
GRADE SCHEME:
631-565 = A
564-502 = B
501-439 = C
438-375 = D
0 – 374 = F
A minimum grade of “C” will be accepted by Health Science Programs at Austin Community College.
IX.
Course Policies:
1.
Discipline Policies:
Withdrawal Policy
Students are responsible for withdrawing themselves from class. Students who do not progress
satisfactorily, and do not keep up with the deadlines are responsible for their withdrawal. If the student
is failing and does not withdraw, the student will be assigned an F.
The withdrawal date is: Check college calendar for this information each semester
Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall 2002, may be charged
a higher tuition rate, for that course.
State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate
career at Texas public colleges or universities. With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals
automatically count towards this limit. Details regarding this policy can be found in the ACC college
catalog.
Incomplete Policy
Incompletes are given at the discretion of the instructor if the student has completed the first three
lecture exams with a passing average. An instructor may award a grade of “I” (Incomplete) if a student
was unable to complete all of the objectives for the passing grade in a course. An incomplete grade
cannot be carried beyond the established date in the following semester. The completion date is
determined by the instructor but may not be later than the final deadline for withdrawal in the
subsequent semester.
Missed or Late Work:
The student needs to keep up with the schedule and test due dates, as this is very essential in order to
become a responsible health practitioner.
My class notes will NOT be available to the students for copying.
Remember, Pharmacology is a whole new language. A new language requires a lot of time and effort
to learn.
Student Rights and Responsibilities
Students at the college have the rights accorded by the U.S. Constitution to freedom of speech,
peaceful assembly, petition, and association. These rights carry with them the responsibility to accord
the same rights to others in the college community and not to interfere with or disrupt the educational
process. Opportunity for students to examine and question pertinent data and assumptions of a given
discipline, guided by the evidence of scholarly research, is appropriate in a learning environment. This
concept is accompanied by an equally demanding concept of responsibility on the part of the student.
As willing partners in learning, students must comply with college rules and procedures.
Students are expected to participate appropriately in the online or in the classroom (dependant of the
class type). This includes, but not limited to helping with exercises, demonstrations, and asking
clarifying questions. Inappropriate participation which includes, but not limited to talking during
lecture, use of cell phone, and interrupting others may disrupt the learning process and is subject to
disciplinary action.
Disciplinary action may include a discussion with the instructor for the first offense, a discipline
referral to the Dean of student services for a repeated offense, a meeting with the Department Chair of
Allied Health Sciences or Dean of Health Sciences, and possible removal from the course. Please refer
to http://www.austincc.edu/current/needtoknow for additional information.
2.
Academic Dishonesty:
Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty,
including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration
with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of
their thought, research or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests,
quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom
presentations, and homework.
The penalty for academic dishonesty is an automatic failing grade of “F” in the course.
See the Student Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Process and other policies at
http://www.austincc.edu/current/needtoknow.
3.
Students with Disabilities:
Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological
disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for
Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes.
Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester.
Additional information about the Office for Students with Disabilities is available at
http://www.austincc.edu/support/osd/.
4.
Safety Statement
Austin Community College is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for study and
work. You are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures
and agree to follow ACC safety policies. Additional information on these can be found at
http://www.austincc.edu/ehs. Because some health and safety circumstances are beyond our control,
we ask that you become familiar with the Emergency Procedures poster and Campus Safety Plan map
in each classroom. Additional information about emergency procedures and how to sign up for ACC
Emergency Alerts to be notified in the event of a serious emergency can be found at
http://www.austincc.edu/emergency/.
You are expected to conduct yourself professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who
thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be immediately
dismissed from the day’s activity, may be withdrawn from the class, and/or barred from attending
future activities.
5.
X.
Use of ACC email
All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account,
with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send
important information and will notify you of any college related emergencies using this account.
Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account.
Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff.
Instructions for activating an ACCmail account can be found at
http://www.austincc.edu/accmail/index.php.
Other Pertinent information for course and student success:
1.
Keep up with assignments. Do all assigned reading according to the schedule. Playing "catch-up is
very difficult."
2.
It is the student’s responsibility to check the blackboard site weekly for information; such as,
announcements, grades, and homework.
3.
There will be a discussion board, or a student forum placed on the blackboard site online for the
course.
4.
Turn off cell phones when in the testing center. If not, this could result in a charge of academic
dishonesty.
5.
Student concerns: “Any student who has a complaint involving the course should first attempt to
resolve the matter with the instructor directly involved.”
If the student is unable to resolve the compliant with the person directly involved, the student
should follow the established guidelines provided at:
http://www.austincc.edu/current/needtoknow.
6.
Instructor response times:
Students should expect a response to emails from the instructor within 24 – 48 hours if the
message is sent during the work week (Monday through Friday). If you have not heard back from
the instructor after 48 hours, please re-send the email.
Grades for assignments should be posted within 7 days of the instructor’s receipt of the
exam/assignment. If you have taken an exam or submitted an assignment and do not see your
grade posted on BlackBoard after 7 days, please contact the instructor.
Please check BlackBoard online for grades.
7.
Do not pay attention in the textbook readings to the sections regarding nursing interventions or
nursing care plans.
8.
Answer all review questions/objectives in detail. The review will cover the majority of the
information necessary to succeed in the theory exams and blackboard quizzes.
9.
Spend time learning the drug name (brand OR generic) to the appropriate classification.
10.
Visit the textbook web-site for additional application/analysis type questions.
11.
Practice quizzes that are online, as this may represent very important concepts for blackboard
quizzes and unit exams.
12.
Directions to access Discussion Board or Coffee Break Room:
You will notice that there is a tab, called: “Discussion Board” or “Communication”. When you click on it,
it will take you to the coffee break room where you can chat amongst yourselves. You can start chatting
with each other by clicking on “add new thread”. You are not to discuss any exam material on this board at
all. This is only to ask other students general questions, due dates, and other miscellaneous information
pertaining to the course. I will not be participating in this coffee break room, it is strictly for you, but I will
check it periodically to see the content that is discussed. If you have specific questions that cannot be
answered by another classmate or is not responded to, please email me directly and indicate the class that
you are in.
My email is: respinos@austincc.edu (refer to #6 above)
Coffee Break Room
This is a forum designated for students to interact with one another in a less formal environment. Students
may post questions that their classmates may be able to answer in order to successfully complete this
course. I will not be posting to this forum. It is solely for student interaction. When using any BlackBoard
communication tool, students are expected to respond to each other in mutually respectful tones and to limit
their discussions to topics appropriate to the class and a learning environment.
Student and Instructional Services
ACC strives to provide exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of
opportunities and services. Information on these services and support systems is available at:
http://www.austincc.edu/s4/
Links to many student services and other information can be found at:
http://www.austincc.edu/current/
ACC Learning Labs provide free tutoring services to all ACC students currently enrolled in the
course to be tutored. The tutor schedule for each Learning Lab may be found at:
http://www.austincc.edu/tutor/students/tutoring.php
For help setting up your ACCeID, ACC Gmail, or ACC BlackBoard, see a Learning Lab
Technician at any ACC Learning Lab.
XI.
Learning Tools:
Drug Flash cards: (optional)
This will assist the student in study the drugs for the matching section of each exam (Units 2-5).
Purchase about 250 3"X5"-note cards and include:
Side #1:
1.
2.
Drug Brand name
Drug MOA
Side #2:
1. Drug Generic name
2. Classification of Drug
Proposed Course Schedule (Subject to Change)
NOTE: all exams and quizzes may be taken before their due dates
Class 1
Syllabus, Introduction to Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical terms, Abbreviations,
Sources of drugs. Information obtained from reference books
Text: Chapter 1-4, and 7
View Module #1
Class 2
Drug Legislation, Controlled Substance Act, Dose response curves, time
response curves
Text: Chapter 1-4 and 7
View Module #2
Class 3??
Take Pre-Quiz #1 for a grade on or before this date.
Class 4
Pharmacokinetics, Dosage Forms, Different Routes of Drug Administration:
Advantages and Disadvantages
Text: Chapter 1-4 and 7
View Modules #3 and 4
Take (Blackboard) BB Quiz #1 for a grade by 11:55pm
Exam # -1 Unit 1 at the testing center on computer
Class 5
Anti-infectives (antibiotics, anti- fungals) (anti-virals, anti- parasitics)
Text: chapter 25-26
View Modules # 5 and 6
Class 6
Respiratory System Drug Therapy (decongestants, anti-histamines, etc.)
Text: Chapter 28
View Module #7
Class 7
Anti-neoplastics, Immunosuppressives
Text: Chapter 24 and 27
View Module #8
Take (Blackboard) BB Quiz #2 for a grade by 11:55pm
Exam #2-Unit 2 at the testing center on computer
Class 8
Cardiovascular System Drug Therapy
Text: Chapter 18, 21, 19
View Module # 9
Class 9
Cardiovascular System Drug Therapy (cont.);
Anti-hypertensive Drug Therapy (kidney function);
Text: Chapter 17, 23
View Modules # 10 and 11
Class 10
Cardiovascular System, (Cont.)
Text: Chapters 20, 16
View Modules # 12 and 13
Take (Blackboard) BB Quiz #3 for a grade by 11:55pm
Exam #3 –unit 3 at the testing center
Class 11
Central Nervous System (CNS) and Drug Therapy; anti-depressants and antimania
Text: Chapter 10, 11, 12
View Module # 14
Class 12
CNS (cont.) Anti-psychotics and Anti-Parkinson drug therapy
CNS (cont.), anti-convulsants, sedative-hypnotics, and anti-anxiety
Text: Chapter 9 and 13
View Modules # 15 and 16
Class 13
Narcotic and Non-Narcotic Analgesics, General and Local Anesthetics
Text: Chapter 14, 15
View Module # 17
Class 14
Take (Blackboard) B-B Quiz #4 for a grade by 11:55pm
HW assignment for Unit 4 is due(posted online)
(Review this assignment for Exam #4)
Look on blackboard for this assignment
Exam #4- Unit 4 at the testing center on computer
Class 15
Diabetes Drug Therapy
Text: Chapter 31
View Module # 18
Class 16
Endocrine System Drug Therapy (steroids)/Thyroid Disease
Text: chapter 31
View Modules # 19 and 20
Class 17
Sex Hormones
Text: Chapter 32
View Module # 21
Class 18
Digestive System Drug Therapy-Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)
Text: Chapter 29
View Module # 22
Take (Blackboard) BB Quiz #5 for a grade by 11:55pm
Class 19
Final Exam #5 –Unit 5
At the testing center on computer
End of Semester