College of Micronesia
PO Box 159
Pohnpei, FM 96941
Course Title: Pharmacology
Department & Number: NU 133
Course Description:
This course introduces the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of
selected pharmacological agents across the lifespan. Emphasis on application of clinical
reasoning to pharmacotherapeutics through client assessment, intervention, and
evaluation using evidence-based practice. Explores selected natural therapeutic
substances. Includes client teaching about medications in Pacific Islands communities.
Course Prepared by: Nursing faculty
Lecture
Laboratory
Workshop
Hours per week
Semester Credits
_____3_____ x
___________ x
___________ x
Purpose of Course:
State: National Campus, Pohnpei
No. of week
Total Hours
___16___ x __48___
________ x ____ _
________ x _______
Degree Requirement
Degree Elective
Certificate
Other
=
=
=
_____3_____
___________
___________
__x___
______
______
______
 The course also meets PLO#(S): NA
Prerequisite Courses: NU 125 Corequisite: NU 134, 135
________________________________________
_______________________
Signature, Chairperson, Curriculum & Assessment Committee
Date Approved
________________________________________
Signature, VPIA, COM-FSM
NU133 PHARMACOLOGY
_______________________
Date Approved
RECOMMENDED BY CAC: 12/13/11
APPROVED BY VPIA: 12/19/11
A. PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES (PLOs):
The student will be able to:
1. Model personal and professional actions based on self-reflection, core nursing values,
and lifelong growth integrating new knowledge, ethical principles, and legal standards
for safe, quality nursing practice.
2. Incorporate nursing knowledge to assess, plan, deliver, and evaluate care within the
context of the interprofessional health team.
3. Make evidence-based nursing judgments in the delivery of safe, holistic nursing care.
4. Demonstrate a spirit of inquiry to manage and improve the quality of care and
outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.
5. Practice relationship-centered communication and incorporate health technology as a
member of the interprofessional team.
6. Advocate for a caring, culturally safe, and flourishing environment that reflects the
values and needs of Micronesian families and communities.
7. Practice and contribute to the primary care and public health care systems in
Micronesia to promote family and community wellness.
B. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs) - GENERAL:
The student will be able to:
1. Demonstrate professional standards of nursing care relating to pharmacology and
medication administration.
2. Apply critical thinking, clinical judgment, and the nursing process to drug therapy and
medication administration.
3. Utilize a variety of evidenced-based resources to guide nursing practice for drug
therapy.
4. Recognize trends and issues in pharmacology that affect medication administration,
quality management, and positive patient/client outcomes.
5. Practice relationship-centered communication and incorporate health technology
applied to drug therapy.
6. Determine the cultural beliefs and behavior of Micronesian patients/clients regarding
traditional therapies to develop a relevant plan of nursing care.
7. Determine the role the nurse regarding drug therapy and medications in primary care
and public health services.
SLO
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
PLO 1
ID
PLO 2
PLO 3
PLO 4
PLO 5
PLO 6
PLO 7
IDM
ID
D
ID
ID
D
I = Introduction
D = Demonstrated
M = Mastered
NU133 PHARMACOLOGY
RECOMMENDED BY CAC: 12/13/11
APPROVED BY VPIA: 12/19/11
C. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs)-SPECIFIC:
The student will be able to:
General SLO 1. Demonstrate professional standards of nursing care relating to
pharmacology and medication administration.
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
1.1. Explain the significance of nursing codes, standards,
Quizzes, exams, group
and ethics as guidelines for medication administration. assignment (with rubric)
1.2. Incorporate standards of practice for drug therapy and Quizzes, exams, group
medication administration into own nursing practice.
assignments (with rubric)
General SLO 2. Apply critical thinking, clinical judgment,
drug therapy and medication administration.
Student Learning Outcomes
2.1. Apply the principles of medication administration,
dosage calculation, and pharmacology across the
lifespan .
2.2. Demonstrate accuracy and safety in applying the
principles of medication administration, dosage
calculation, and pharmacology across the lifespan.
2.3. Develop a nursing care plan for client/patient teaching
that reflects critical thinking, clinical judgment.
and the nursing process to
Assessment Strategies
Quizzes, exams, scenarios
and simulations (with
rubric)
Quizzes, exams, group
assignments (with rubric)
scenarios and simulations
(with rubric)
Quizzes, exams, scenarios
(with rubric)
Nursing care plan (with
rubric)
General SLO 3. Utilize search engines, websites, and library references that access
current, evidence-based drugs, over the counter medications, and herbs.
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
3.1. Identify search engines, websites, and library
Information competency
references that access current, evidence-based drugs,
group assignments (with
over the counter medications, and herbs.
rubric), nursing care plan
(with rubric)
3.2. Apply evidenced-based resources to guide nursing
Nursing care plan (with
practice for drug therapy.
rubric)
General SLO 4. Recognize issues and trends in pharmacology that affect medication
administration, quality management, and positive patient/client outcomes.
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
4.1. Explain issues and trends in pharmacology that affect
Quizzes, exams, group
medication administration, quality management, and
assignments (with rubric)
positive patient/client outcomes.
4.2. Determine medication administration policies and
Quizzes, exams, group
procedures that could diminish errors, improve
assignments (with rubric)
patient/client outcomes, and enhance quality
Nursing care plan (with
management of drug therapy.
rubric)
NU133 PHARMACOLOGY
RECOMMENDED BY CAC: 12/13/11
APPROVED BY VPIA: 12/19/11
General SLO 5. Practice relationship-centered communication and incorporate health
technology applied to drug therapy.
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
5.1. Incorporate principles of patient/client-centered
Quizzes, exams, individual
health education and advocacy for medication and
and group assignments
drug therapy.
(with rubric)
Nursing care plan (with
rubric)
5.2. Document and report medication administration and
Quizzes, exams, individual
therapeutic effects in timely and accurate
and group assignments
communication with the appropriate interprofessional (with rubric)
team member.
Nursing care plan (with
rubric)
General SLO 6. Determine the cultural beliefs and behavior of Micronesian and other
patients/clients regarding traditional therapies to develop a relevant plan of nursing care.
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
6.1. Identify the cultural beliefs and practices of
Quizzes, exams, individual
patients/clients regarding medications, drugs, and
and group assignments
herbs.
(with rubric)
Nursing care plan (with
rubric)
6.2. Determine culturally based interventions to minimize Quizzes, exams, individual
barriers to effective use of pharmacological therapies and group assignments
by patients/clients.
(with rubric)
Nursing care plan (with
rubric)
General SLO 7. Determine the role the nurse to implement drug therapy and medication
administration in primary care and public health services.
Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment Strategies
7.1. Explain the role of the nurse in implementing drug
Quizzes, exams, individual
therapy and medication administration in primary care and group assignments
and public health services.
(with rubric)
7.2. Determine the standards of practice, legal, and ethical Quizzes, exams, individual
issues encountered by the nurse during drug therapy
and group assignments
and medication administration in primary care and
(with rubric)
public health practice.
Journal
D.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
COURSE CONTENT
Principles of medication administration
Systems of measurement with conversion
Dosages and calculations across the lifespan
Standards of practice, legal, and ethical codes
Pharmacology across the lifespan
Finding medication sources: library, databases, and the Internet
NU133 PHARMACOLOGY
RECOMMENDED BY CAC: 12/13/11
APPROVED BY VPIA: 12/19/11
7. Contemporary issues in pharmacology
a. Drug approval process
b. Drug interactions and over the counter drugs
c. Drugs of abuse
d. Herbal therapy
e. Patient Safety Goals and the Institute of Medicine (IOM)Report
f. Client teaching
g. Cultural and genetic considerations
h. Community and global issues
8. Drug categories
a. Anti-infective agents
c. Analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
d. Diuretics and renal system drugs
e. Antihypertensive drugs
f. Cardiovascular drugs
g. Upper and lower respiratory drugs
h. Analgesics and NSAIDs
i. Endocrine system drugs
j. Nervous system drugs
k. Reproductive system drugs
l. OTCs, alternatives and substance abuse
E. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
1. Mini-lecture.
2. Focused library orientation to nursing related periodicals, references, and databases.
3. Online activities.
4. Interactive group activities.
5. Guest speaker/panel.
6. Independent study.
F. REQUIRED TEXT(S) AND COURSE MATERIALS
Bucholz, S. (2012). Henke’s med-math dosage calculation, preparation andb
administration (7th ed). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams &
Wilkins. (or most recent edition)
Karch, A. (2011). Focus on nursing pharmacology (5th ed.). Philadelphia: Wolters
Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. (or most recent edition)
Karch, A. (2012). 2012 Lippincott’s nursing drug guide. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer
Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. (or most recent edition)
G. REFERENCE MATERIALS
Nutrition book of choice.
H. INSTRUCTIONAL COSTS
None
NU133 PHARMACOLOGY
RECOMMENDED BY CAC: 12/13/11
APPROVED BY VPIA: 12/19/11
I. EVALUATION
This course must be passed with a “C” (70%) or better, along with required corequisites
courses (NU 134, 135). to progress to the next semester.
J. CREDIT BY EXAMINATION
None
NU133 PHARMACOLOGY
RECOMMENDED BY CAC: 12/13/11
APPROVED BY VPIA: 12/19/11