RANGER COLLEGE
SYLLABUS
VOCATIONAL NURSING DEPARTMENT
Course Number and Title: VNSG 1231
Credit Hours: 2
Lecture Hours: 2
Instructor: Ronda Poindexter, RN
Office Hours: Monday and Tuesday
0830 to 1600
Pharmacology
Lab: 0 Combination: 2
Office Location: Early, Comanche, Ranger
Office Phone: 325-641-5726, 325-356-2170,
254-647-5200
Email Address: rpoindexter@rangercollege.edu
I.
CATALOG DESCRIPTION
Fundamentals of medications and their diagnostic, therapeutic, and curative effects.
Includes nursing interventions utilizing the nursing process.
II.
REQUIRED BACKGROUND/PREREQUISITES
Successful completion of previous semester. Mastery level of 4 on Prep-U to proceed to
third semester and eligibility to sit for boards, and pay application fee to the TX BON to
proceed to the third semester. Random drug testing will continue throughout the second
and third semester.
III.
TEXTBOOK(S)
Introductory to Clinical Pharmacology, 9th Ed., Roach, LWW
Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, 21st Ed., F.A. Davis
Current drug handbook
Medical Terminology, A Systems Approach, 6th Ed., Gylys-Wedding, Davis
IV.
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
Lecture, discussion, audio visuals, handouts, computer simulations
V.
SCANS COMPETENCIES
This course covers Scan Competencies #s F1, F2, F3, F4.
VI.
COURSE OBJECTIVES TO REACH DEC REQUIREMENTS
The student will:
1. Identify properties, effects, and basic principles underlying the use and administration
of pharmacotherapeutic agents.
2. List common nursing interventions associated with the various pharmacotherapeutic
agents.
3. Identify the four steps in a systemic process (i.e., nursing process), which include
assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
4. Identify the basic components of nursing diagnosis (e.g. NANDA) as applies to
pharmacology and medication compliance.
5. Identify common medical diagnoses, drug and other therapies and treatments.
6. Have knowledge of the properties, effects and basic principles underlying the use and
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administration of pharmacotherapeutic agents.
7. Identify the basic principles of the teaching/learning process and possible barriers to
learning in the adult client that could result in noncompliance issues.
8. Identify common methods for measuring client responses and health goal attainment in
regard to pharmacotherapeutics.
9. Identify the cultural differences of clients as they apply to medication regimes and
compliance.
10. Have knowledge of client advocacy and consumer rights and responsibilities in
regard to pharmacotherapeutics.
11. Identify the legalities of vocational nursing practice in the area of pharmacological
therapy.
12. Identify the vocational nurses’ responsibility for reporting to licensing and public
protective agencies as applied to pharmacotherapeutics.
13. Identify the distinctions between LVN and RN roles in the delivery of
pharmacological therapy to the adult client.
VII.
COURSE CALENDAR
Weekly lectures. Exams every other week. Final exam May. Dates subject to change.
VIII.
COURSE/CLASSROOM POLICIES
See VN Handbook.
ADA Statement: Ranger College provides a variety of services for students with learning
and/or physical disabilities. The student is responsible for making the initial contact with
the Ranger College Counselor. It is advisable to make this contact before or immediately
after the semester begins.
Academic dishonesty according to the Ranger College Handbook is defined as copying
from another student’s test paper, or academic work, or collaboration with another person
in preparing work for credit. Students who commit any of these offenses will be given a
grade of ‘0’ on the test or assignment, and may result in dismissal from the program.
IX.
ASSESSMENT
GRADING
100 – 92 = A
91 – 86 = B
85 – 80 = C
Below 80 = F
All students must achieve an average grade of 80% to remain in the program.
There will be 6 scheduled major exams and one homework grade that counts as a major
exam grade. Each exam will have a minimum of 75% application and analysis questions.
These questions will cover all course objectives listed in this syllabi. Test blue prints will
be made available prior to each exam. Usually multiple choice exams will be given, but
essay and fill-in-the-blank questions or matching may also be given. Make-up tests will
be essay. All exams are worth 100 points. Exams will cover lecture and reading
material, handouts, specific drug information on assigned drug cards, and drug
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calculations. Anything previously tested over is subject to being re-tested on any test
given through out the semester. Pop tests or mini tests over videos and homework
assignments may be given throughout the semester. These pop test and homework
assignments count as daily grades. All daily grades are averaged to equal one major exam
grade. An exam grade will be given for drug cards assigned to correspond with reading
assignments. Drug cards and Homework assignments turned in late will have points
deducted each day late. Every student starts with 100% exam grade for drug cards and
homework and loses points for late work. Students may also have calculation questions
on each test. This course will include a final exam that counts 25% of the final grade.
Final exams must be taken as assigned with no make-ups.
X.
NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
Admission, employment, and program policies of Ranger College are non-discriminatory
in regard to race, creed, color, sex, age, disability, and national origin.
XI.
RECEIPT OF SYLLABUS
Separate page; signed and returned to instructor
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