NUR 170 Pharmacology 2012
1
NUR 170 Pharmacology 2012
PHARMACOLOGY
Nursing 170
Course Syllabus
Pat McIntire FNP
School of Nursing 124
575.538.6960
mcintirep@wnmu.edu
Office Hours: TO BE ANNOUNCED
Alexis Harsh FNP
SON ---, MVLC --575.538.6960 or 575.546.6556 EXT 104
harsha@wnmu.edu
If you need time with me, PLEASE schedule an appointment by calling the School of
Nursing. Meetings and other commitments make my schedule inconsistent from week to
week and if you make an appointment, I’ll be there. I do check email multiple times during
the day and at least twice on weekends.
Course Description: Basic therapeutic actions of various types of commonly used drugs.
Emphasis will be placed on the classification of medications, therapeutic action, adverse
reactions, and routes of administration. Drug interactions and contraindications will be
presented. Nursing content is organized by the nursing process. Only students who have been
admitted to the nursing program may enroll in this course. Prerequisites: NUR 101/103, BIO
254/256, CHEM 121/123, and Math 111 or 125. (3)
Introduction: Pharmacology is a required course in the ADN nursing program. This course will
emphasize the nursing process and its relationship to pharmacology. Content will include
therapeutic actions of commonly used drugs, drug classifications, mode of action, adverse
reactions, routes of administration, and education of the client and their family when these drugs
are prescribed. The schedule has been designed to coincide as much as possible with the
Medical/Surgical Course being taught this semester. A list of representative medications from
each category has been created and is posted at the course site as Meds 2 Know
Course Objectives:
At the successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1.
Explain the usefulness of medication classification systems.
2.
Solve drug dosage problems
3.
Compare and contrast pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.
4.
Describe characteristics of major groups and selected individual medications in terms
of the following: mechanism(s) of action; drug effects, therapeutic use, side effects
and adverse effects; toxicity and management of overdoses and interactions; and
nursing responsibilities related to administration, monitoring and teaching.
5.
Explain and utilize all the rights of medication administration.
6.
Identify and explain drug/drug and drug/food interactions.
7.
Utilize appropriate nursing assessments for clients using selected pharmacologic
agents.
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NUR 170 Pharmacology 2012
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Formulate specific nursing diagnoses for clients using selected pharmacologic agents.
Incorporate psychosocial, spiritual and cultural aspects in the care of clients using
selected pharmacologic agents.
Articulate nursing interventions which support optimal well being for clients using
selected pharmacologic agents.
Evaluate and amend the plan of care for a client using selected pharmacologic agents.
Develop a teaching plan for a client using selected pharmacologic agents.
Describe current legal regulations and agencies governing the care of clients using
pharmacologic agents.
Identify drug/drug and drug/food interactions and develop nursing interventions to
address them.
Students are expected to gain knowledge of common drug classifications, desired outcomes and
assessment for adverse reactions, drug-drug reactions, drug-food reactions, along with methods
to maximize patient compliance with drug therapy. Students will study nursing diagnoses for
common drug classifications and management of patient taking over the counter medications and
herbal remedies along with their prescription medications.
Pathway to Success
The successful nursing pharmacology student will read required chapters to be presented
prior to coming to class. Complete the written objectives before each chapter. Be prepared to
participate in class discussion. Memorize vocabulary at the beginning of each assigned chapter
before class. Complete the workbook chapters for assigned material prior to exams. Preparation
in this course will make the difference in your success or failure.
Grading Criteria
Pharmacology incorporates 14 multiple choice exams and a comprehensive final. The
student must attain a 76.0% average on these tests for the semester in order to pass this course.
Theory:
Examinations (14)
60%
Comprehensive Final Exam
15%
Kaplan Comprehensive Exam
5% (Total of 5 points)
Again, an overall average of 76.0% on the exams and final is required to pass the
course.
Written Work/Other:
Drug-Drug interaction paper
10%
Medication teaching plan
10%
Completion of Kaplan
5%
Pharmacology Focused Review exams (3)
Grades will stand as is, and will NOT be averaged up
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NUR 170 Pharmacology 2012
Grading Scale:
92-100
A
84-91.9
B
76.0-83.9
C_________ Pass
70-75.9
D
Fail
69.9 & below F
Exams
Exams will be administered outside class time utilizing the School of Nursing
computerized testing system. The class seating schedule for exams may be changed from exam
to exam. See the Nursing Student Guidelines for testing procedures. Other exam security
measures may be implemented at the instructor’s discretion and you are expected to comply with
such measures. Calculators will be available for student use during testing and the computer
pop-up calculators will be enabled. Exams will be at least 50% application questions. Each
exam will contain at least 2 medication calculation questions.
The Kaplan standardized pharmacology exam will be administered at the completion of
this course. Any student who does not complete the requirement will fail the course and not
progress in the nursing program. Each student will have the opportunity to review the
standardized test topics and rationales. Students will be awarded points (not extra credit) on the
exam portion of the course scale according to the following scale for a maximum of 5 points.
Test Scores: 0 to 5 points
75 % and higher score: 5 points
70 to 74 percent score: 4 points
60 to 69 percent:
3 points
50 to 59 percent score: 2 points
Below 50 percent score: 1 points
Use of remediation explanations for standardized tests: 2 points
Access all explanations for a minimum of 60 seconds each: 2 points
Remediation is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in multiple formats so
students can correct knowledge deficits AND must be completed within one week of the Kaplan
standardized exam. Remediation is required of all students scoring less than 60th percent.
Exam Review Policy
After an exam, you may review the exam questions to ascertain your strengths and
weaknesses in pharmacology content. Students may challenge any exam question within five
days of the exam by submitting the question, the answer you believe is correct, along with the
reference page supporting your choice. The instructor will review the information and respond
within five days. Exams or coaching reports will not be available at the end of the semester for
review for finals.
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NUR 170 Pharmacology 2012
Attendance Policy
Attendance in this class is mandatory. Greater than three absences will result in
deduction of 10% from your average grade. Each day after three absences will result in 10%
grade reduction per day. If you are going to be absent from class, please call the school (5386960) to report that absence (prior to class).
Exams must be taken on the day scheduled. If you are sick, the exam may be
rescheduled at the instructor’s convenience and must be completed within 1 week of the absence.
Missed exam days are applied to total absences and your instructor may ask for a written excuse.
Tardies
Students who are 10 minutes late or more are considered tardy. A tardy will also be
given if you leave class early for any reason. Three tardies equals one absence.
Nursing Student Guidelines
Student guidelines for the nursing program and WNMU will be followed for other issues
not mentioned in this syllabus as applicable.
Guidelines for Written Assignments
Drug/Drug Paper
Objective: Thoroughly investigate drug-drug and summarize these interactions. This exercise
will give the pharmacology student experience in identifying issues regarding interactions of
with random medications and foods.
Drug-Drug Interaction:
Requirements: The student will utilize 10 medications from the most recent clinical patient and
add the following drugs to their list, warfarin (Coumadin), pantaprozole (protonix), feverfew (an
herb), phenytoin (dilantin). And an “OTC cold medication”. The “OTC” medication is
unknown, so be conservative and safe with your patient. If one of these medications is on your
10 drug list, then use a different previous clinical medication until you have a total of 15
medications. You may have to use medications for more than one patient to get the total list of
15 medications.
Use the Drug-Drug Template, a 15 x 15 chart with the 15 medications listed on both top
and bottom to show interactions (posted with the course files on Mustang Express). You will
simply replace the numbers on the chart with the name of your medications, making sure to
replace the same number with the same medication (eg: both three’s can be Coumadin). Within
each box, code the interaction with “C” for compatible or no interaction, “I” for interaction, and
“N” for no information available.
On a separate page following the table, describe each specific interaction “I” identified.
Remember to include the mechanism of action and overall effect. Example: “drug X displaces
drug Y from protein binding sites, increasing circulating free drug and potentiating the action of
drug Y.”
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NUR 170 Pharmacology 2012
Finally, summarize the severity of the overall specific patient’s risks for these 15 drugs. Include
your reference list at the end.
Grading criteria:
APA format, grammar and spelling
10%
See rubric with medication teaching plan
Table completeness and accuracy
25%
Specific interaction descriptions
25%
Summary of Risks
30%
Reference list
10%
100%
Don’t forget to use all the resources you have available. Please talk to Ms. McIntire if you have
any questions.
Medication Teaching Plan Guidelines
This assignment is similar to the Teaching Plan required in NUR 150 Medical Surgical Nursing.
The focus is on teaching a client about a medication he/she is or will be taking. You may use a
combination of essay and list formats. Include a drug card (format detailed separately) for the
medication about which you are teaching the client.
Background Information: This section should include the client’s initials,
occupation, educational level, cultural background and influences, status in the family,
support systems, predisposing factors for the present condition, and whether the client
recognizes the need for information or change.
2. Assessment: You should report the client’s admitting diagnosis, the immediate
problem, or the reason for attending the clinic or hospitalization.
Observations: Some subjective and/or objective data to back up your assessments
of the client’s needs, eagerness for change/information. You may use lab tests, what
the client/family stated, or what you observed.
Treatment: Pertains to the diagnosis, medical orders, medications and the nursing
orders.
Rehabilitation: What can be changed or improved upon by education? What are
the learning needs? What can a nurse teach about and improve in this client’s health
status with education?
Problems: These would be the barriers that could exist to the educational efforts
you are trying to make. These could be both psychological and physical barriers.
(Remember, you may use a combination of list or essay for any of these sections)
3. Planning: The nursing Diagnosis; Knowledge Deficit (most common), NonCompliance, Self-Care Deficit. Use the three-part Nursing Diagnosis. For example,
“Knowledge Deficit R/T lack of information regarding …….AMB ‘I don’t want to
take that medication.’”
Goals should be stated behaviorally, timed and measurable. Behavior verbs are:
Client will repeat, will demonstrate, will perform, will list, etc. “Client will
understand” is not a measurable goal. Rationale should be a scientific principle from
1.
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NUR 170 Pharmacology 2012
a resource or a research statement of why it would be best for the client to strive for
the goal(s).
4. Implementation: What audiovisuals, pamphlets, articles were used? (Include copies
of pamphlets/articles used) Did you also use a verbal back-up? Did you reinforce
previous teaching and take into account cultural influences and educational level?
What were your observations of client expression and behavior during the
presentation? What factors aided or hindered the teaching session?
5. Evaluation: Validate if the teaching was successful or not with a statement that
describes and proves success or failure of educational presentation. Did you schedule
any follow-up sessions?
6. Drug Information: Use the Fundamentals of Nursing Drug Card template for
information.
NOTE: Teaching plans will be typed and approximately three (3) or more pages in
length. Please be concise.
Teaching Plan Grading Criteria
1. Background information
2. Assessment
3. Planning
4. Implementation
5. Evaluation
6. Drug information
6. APA format
10%
20%
20%
20%
10%
10%
10%
100%
APA format rubric
1. Satisfactory spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, and grammar
(consistent audience, labels, plural/single, past/present tense, active/passive
voice).
2. Correctly cites quotes and paraphrased material. (Concise Rules, Ch
7)**
3. Title page, header, page #’s correctly formatted. (Page 1 is title page)
4. 1” margins all around and paragraphs indented ½ inch or 5 spaces.
5. Font 12 point, Times New Roman or Arial, all lines double-spaced only.
6. Abbreviations, acronyms, numbers, and percentages are formatted
according to APA rules (Concise Rules, Ch 3 & 4)**
7. Reference page is formatted per APA rules. (Concise Rules, Ch 7)**
3%
2%
1%
.5%
.5%
1%
2%
**American Psychological Association.(2010). Concise rules of APA style. Washington, DC: Author
Communication policy statement regarding official e-mail: WNMU’s policy requires that all
official communication will be sent via Mustang express. As a result, all e-mails related to your
enrollment at WNMU and class communication – including changes in assignments and grades
will be sent to your wnmu.edu e-mail address. It is very important that you access your Mustang
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NUR 170 Pharmacology 2012
Express e-mail daily to check for correspondence from the University. If you receive most of
your e-mail at a different address, you can forward your messages from Mustang Express
to your other address. For the purposes of this course, you are required to check your e-mail
and course announcements on a daily basis.
WNMU Policy on E-mail passwords: WNMU requires that passwords for access to all of the
protected software, programs, and applications will be robust, including complexity in the
number of characters required, the combination of characters required, and the frequency in
which passwords are required to be changed. Minimum complexity shall include:
o Passwords shall contain at least six (6) characters.
o Passwords shall contain at least one capital (upper case) letter, and at least one
symbol (numbers and characters such as @#$%&*).
o Passwords shall be changed every 90 days. (8/6/08)
Academic Integrity Policy and Procedures: Each student shall observe standards of honesty
and integrity in academic work completed at WNMU. Students may be penalized for violations
of the Academic Integrity policy. Generally violations of academic integrity include cheating
and plagiarism. Please refer to pages 60-62 of the 2010-2011 WNMU Catalog and page 43 of
the Nursing Student Guidelines.
Class Procedures for Inclement Weather: Refer to the WNMU policy for notification
procedures. In the event that classes are cancelled during scheduled exams or class days,
alternative arrangements may be made.
Special Needs Students: Students with disabilities in need of accommodations should register
with the Special Needs Office (ext 6498) at the beginning of the semester. With student
permission, that office will then notify instructors of any special equipment or services a student
requires.
Lecture Capture: Lecture capture will be enabled for this class. You will receive the link by
email.
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NUR 170 Pharmacology 2012
Drug Card Template:
Generic name:
Trade name (3): 1.
2.
3.
Therapeutic class:
Onset:
Contraindications:
Peak:
Half life
(duration):
Adverse reactions:
24h dose max:
Nursing physical assess:
Pharmacological class:
Rationale for Rx:
Mechanism of action:
Scheduled
admin time:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Actual admin.
time (explain
variance):
Nursing lab assess:
Drug effectiveness for your client:
Other:
Client/family teaching:
Media Available:
EPOCRATES ONLINE:
Epocrates Online organizes practical, peer-reviewed content with a unique patient-centered
approach, providing you with answers, not more questions.






Continually updated, integrated drug and disease information
The most relevant information, by clinicians, for clinicians
Easy-to-use expandable menus that let you go from concise to comprehensive
Look up a monograph directly, or find specific information through an open-text search
Patient education information data that is printable
Link is in your pharmacology course on Mustang Express. Epocrates is also available
through the GRMC computer for those of you in clinical there.
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NUR 170 Pharmacology 2012
Required Texts
Lilley, Linda, Collins, Shelly, Harrington, Scott, and Snyder, Julie. (2011). Pharmacology and
the nursing process 6th ed. St.Louis: Mosby. ISBN: 978-0-323-05544-4
Hargrove-Huttel, Ray and Colgrove, Katheryn (2008). Pharmacology Success: A Course
Review Applying Critical Thinking to Test Taking. Philadelphia: F. A. Davis Company.
ISBN 978-0-8036-1821-3
Silvestri, Linda (2011). Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination, 5th
Ed. St. Louis: Saunders Elsevier. ISBN: 978-1-4377-0825-7
Note: This is the latest edition. If you have the 4th edition, you do not need to get a new
one.
Snyder, Julie (2011). Study guide to accompany pharmacology and the nursing process 6th ed.
St. Louis: Mosby. ISBN: 978-0-323-06660-0
Recommended:
Kaplan (2008/). Kaplan NCLEX-RN: Medications You Need to Know for the Exam. New York:
Kaplan Publishing. ISBN: 9781427797476
**Note: The instructors reserve the right to make changes, as necessary, to this syllabus. If
changes become necessary during the term of this course, the instructors will
immediately notify students via e-mail of such changes.
Nancy Langston RN PhD
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NUR 170 Pharmacology 2012
Please Note: This syllabus does not include objectives for each unit. However, the following
objectives should be used for each chapter of the text which deals with a classification(s) of
medication. The student should keep these objectives in mind while reading and reviewing the
material. The student should review the representative medications with the same framework.
Reading assignments are contained in the course schedule.
Unit Objectives:
At the completion of this unit, the student will be able to (with minimal guidance):
1.
Describe characteristics of major groups and selected individual medications in terms of
the following: mechanism(s) of action; drug effects, therapeutic use, side effects and
adverse effects; toxicity and management of overdoses and interactions; and nursing
responsibilities related to administration, monitoring and teaching.
2.
Identify and explain drug/drug and drug/food interactions.
3.
Utilize appropriate nursing assessments for clients using selected pharmacologic agents.
4.
Formulate specific nursing diagnoses for clients using selected pharmacologic agents.
5.
Incorporate psychosocial, spiritual and cultural aspects in the care of clients using
selected pharmacologic agents.
6.
Articulate nursing interventions which support optimal well being for clients using
selected pharmacologic agents.
7.
Evaluate and amend the plan of care for a client using selected pharmacologic agents.
8.
Develop a teaching plan for a client using selected pharmacologic agents.
9.
Solve drug dosage problems
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