RANGER COLLEGE
SYLLABUS
VOCATIONAL NURSING DEPARTMENT
SPRING SEMESTER 2012
Course Number and Title: VNSG 1231 Pharmacology
Credit Hours: 2 Lecture Hours: 2 Lab: 0 Combination: 2
Instructor: Melissa Strickland, RN Office Location: Early
Office Hours: Monday and Tuesday Office Phone: 325-641-5726
0900 to 1600 Email Address: mstrickland@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.
III. TEXTBOOK(S)
Introductory to Clinical Pharmacology, 9 th
Ed., Roach, LWW
Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, 21 st
Ed., F.A. Davis
Davis’ Drug Guide for Nurses, 12 th
Ed., Deglin/Vallerand, F.A. Davis
Medical Terminology, A Systems Approach, 6 th 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
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 on weeks 3, 8, 10, 12, & 14. Final exam week of May 9, 2011.
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 5 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 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.

Week 1---Jan 17---Review Syllabus
Lecture Unit 3 - Pain
Week 2---Jan 24---Quiz 1 Unit 3 Lecture Unit 13 - Other Body Systems
Week 3---Jan 31---Exam #1 over Units 3 & 13
Lecture Unit 7 - Respiratory System
Week 4---Feb 7---Quiz 2 Unit 7 Lecture Unit 8 - Cardiovascular System
Week 5---Feb 14---Lecture Unit 8 - Cardiovascular System (cont)
Week 6---Feb 21---Exam # 2 over Units 7 & 8
Lecture Unit 12 - Immune System
Week 7---Feb 28---Quiz 3 Unit 12 Lecture Unit 2 - Antiinfectives
Week 8---Mar 7---Exam #3 over Units 2 & 12
Lecture Unit 4 - Central Nervous System
Week 9---Mar 14---Spring Break
Week 10---Mar 21---Exam #4 over Unit 4
Lecture Unit 5 - Peripheral Nervous System
Week 11---Mar 28--- Exam #5 over Unit 5
Week 12---Apr 4---Lecture Unit 6 - Neuromuscular System
Week 13---Apr 11---Quiz 4 Unit 6 Lecture Unit 9 - Gastrointestinal System
Week 14---Apr 18---Exam #6 over Units 6 & 9
Week 15---Apr 25---Review for Finals
Week 16---May 2---TBA
Week 17---May 9---Final Exam---May 10 th or 11 th