Heartland Community College
Master Course Syllabus
Health and Human Services
Course Prefix and Number: HLTH 135
Course Title: Pharmacology for Health Professionals
DATE PREPARED: November 1, 2005
DATE REVIEWED:
DATE REVISED: November 10, 2014
PCS/CIP/ID NO: 1.2-51.0707
IAI NO. (if available):
EFFECTIVE DATE OF FIRST CLASS: 08/17/2015
CREDIT HOURS: 3
CONTACT HOURS:
LECTURE HOURS: 3
3
LABORATORY HOURS: 0
CATALOG DESCRIPTION (Include specific prerequisites):
Prerequisites:
- Placement at college level English OR
- Concurrent enrollment in ENGL 99/101
AND
- Placement at college level reading
This course provides a broad overview of the history, applications, metabolism, and
terminology of prescribed drugs for the allied health professional. It will also include a
systemic review of the most commonly prescribed drugs/medications and pharmacological
references. This course cannot be substituted for NURS 113 or any other NURS course.
TEXTBOOKS:
Turley, S. M. (2010). Understanding pharmacology for health professionals (4th ed.).
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
RECOMMENDED:
 Access to a medical dictionary

Access to drug reference books
RELATIONSHIP TO ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND
TRANSFERABILITY:
HLTH 135 was designed to meet the specific needs of an Associate of Applied Science
degree or certificate program and not necessarily as a transfer course, particularly in relation
to the Illinois Articulation Initiative. This course may transfer to various institutions in a
variety of ways. Please see an academic advisor for an explanation concerning transfer
options.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Course Outcomes
Essential
Competencies
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1. List the sources of drugs and describe
how drugs are created, tested and
marketed.
2. Explain the history of use, legislation,
and research of drugs.
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3. Describe the components of the drug
cycle and examine factors that can affect
the steps.
4. Describe how drug effects are initiated
through cellular receptors.
5. Demonstrate research techniques for
obtaining drug information from drug
references.
6. Examine the therapeutic action(s),
interactions and adverse effects of
commonly prescribed medications and
drug classes.
CT1
7. Recall abbreviations related to
administration, amounts, and frequency of
dosages as well as terminology used in
reference to medications.
8. Pronounce and spell common generic
and trade name drugs and their categories
Range of
Assessment Methods
CO2
Chapter review questions
Discussion Questions
Classroom assessment technique
Tests/quizzes
Time lines
paper on legislation/specific
legislation
Discussion questions
Chapter review questions
Tests/quizzes
Concept map
Case studies
Discussion Questions
Tests/quizzes
Concept map
Chapter review questions
Discussion Question
Test/quizzes
Completion of assignments using
references
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Concept maps
Poster presentations
Case studies
Paper on a medication
Test/quizzes
Translate prescription orders
Tests/quizzes
Matching assignments
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Tests/quizzes
Pronunciation assignment
CT1: Students gather knowledge, apply it to a new situation, and draw reasonable
conclusions in ways that demonstrate comprehension.
CO2: Students effectively deliver a message via various channels/modalities
COURSE/LAB OUTLINE:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
Historical Overview of Drug/Medications Use and Legislation
Research & Marketing of Drugs/Medications
Forms and Administration of Medications
Abbreviations and Terminology
Principles of Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics
Resources & References for Pharmacology
Classification of Drugs
A.
Antibiotics and Antifungals
B.
Anticoagulants & Thrombolytic Medications
C.
Psychotropic Medications
D.
Chemotherapy
E.
Emergency Drugs
Pharmacological Use for System Disorders
A.
Urinary System
B.
Nervous System
C.
Integumentary System
D.
Urinary System
E.
Gastrointestinal System
F.
Musculoskeletal System
G.
Pulmonary System
H.
Endocrine System
I.
Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Medications
J.
Obstetric/Gynecological Pharmacology
Pharmacological Agents to Control Pain
A.
Analgesics
B.
Narcotics
C.
Anesthetics
METHOD OF EVALUATION (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
Instructors may determine the most appropriate methods of evaluation for their course.
These methods of evaluation might include but are not limited to exams, homework, terms
papers, and oral reports.
Grading Scale:
A
B
C
D
F
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
59% and below
REQUIRED WRITING AND READING:
Writing assignments may include, but not limited to, research and reaction papers, essay, and
assigned discussion questions (both on exams and as assignments). In all, students will be
writing the equivalent of a 10 -12 page paper either as one paper or over the duration of the
semester.
Students should read the required readings, which may include textbook chapters and/or
supplemental readings before the topic is introduced in class. Chapters are usually
approximately 20-30 pages, and supplementary readings may be up to fifteen pages.
Supplemental readings are short articles taken from chapters of textbooks, professional
journals and magazines, newspapers, popular magazines, and the Internet. Reading the
material before class is important because less time can be devoted to presentation, and more
to activities that apply the information. In the latter cases, students seem to enjoy and learn
more when less time is allotted to lecture of basic information and more time is allotted to
apply the concepts in ways they will encounter in the workplace.