North Seattle Community College
Pharmacology II
PHA 151
Pharmacy Technician Program
3 credits
COURSE SYLLABUS
Instructor: Shannon Trivett
Office Hours: Tuesdays at 10:30 until class and by
appointment
Classroom: IB 1421
Voice Mail: 206-528-4559 Box #1 Ext. 0223
For emergencies only – no holidays, weekends
or after 7:00 pm you may call my cell. The
number is 425-931-8001
Email: strivett@sccd.ctc.edu
Time: MTW 11:10 am until 12:00 pm
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This Pharmacology course provides descriptions of drugs, drug classification, drug
action, and drug uses related to their classifications.
PHA 151 will concentrate on:
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Classification of drugs as they relate to body functions, with selected class
representatives and their desired effects, side effects, contraindications, and
drug-drug interactions as well as indications.
The examination of medication errors and how they occur and how we as
technicians can prevent them.
Introduction and review of pharmacy terminology and introduction to basic
calculations associated with medication ordering, dosing, and administration
Effective use of drug references, i.e., drug identification, common dose ranges,
indications, contraindications, side effects and warnings
The brand and generic names of approximately the first 100 drugs of the Top
200 prescription drugs
The indications of the top 100 drugs studied will be emphasized
PREREQUISITES
Pharmacy Technician Program entry requirements or equivalencies
REQUIRED MATERIALS
Text: Pharmacology for Technicians Third Edition,
Required Supplies: calculator
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OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this 5-credit course, the student will be able to:
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Interpret and demonstrate the use of common abbreviations and calculations
associated with the ordering and administration of medications
Incorporate the use of resource materials and manuals to identify a drug and its
uses, common dose ranges and dosage form, side effects, and contraindications
and warnings
Pronounce, define and identify drug classifications and names
Provide an example of a representative drug when given a specific drug class
Identify common medications related to body systems, their classifications,
desired effects and side effects, drug-drug interactions, and contraindications.
Provide brand and generic names for the top 100 (out of the top 200) prescription
drugs and be able to discuss selected information about these drugs.
Recognition of sound-alike drugs and problem identification within prescriptions,
as well as knowing what the medications are used for and be able to prevent
medication errors from occurring as a result of this knowledge.
ACTIVITIES TO ACHIEVE OUTCOMES
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Study and reading of appropriate chapters in the pharmacology text as
well as memorizing brand and generic names as well as terminology on
the handouts is highly advisable.
To do well in this class it is advisable you study at least two hours a night.
Flashcards (colored) with drug names – brand and generic, side effects,
warning labels and drug class are highly recommended for studying.
Survey of available drug information resources, including the Internet and
drug information resources common to the practice of pharmacy and
pharmacology (e.g. Facts and Comparisons, USP Drug Information,
Micromedex, Medline, MedIndex, American Hospital Formulary Service
Drug Information, Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs, Drug Interactions,
Applied Therapeutics, Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Remington’s
Pharmaceutical Sciences)
Focus on the top 200 plus drugs of the handout in terms of class,
properties, drug-drug interactions, precautions and warnings, and
common indications for these drugs is essential.
Assignments will include referencing drugs and drug properties with the
appropriate resources as they apply to real life applications.
Assessments in the form of quizzes, assignments and exams will be given
and may include True/False questions, multiple choice questions, short
answers, or essay questions.
The understanding of the pharmacological process will be expressed and
evaluated via an oral presentation and written project.
Oral practice and scenarios will take place in class as well emphasizing
real life customer service and technician roles.
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GRADING
The student's grade will be based upon the student's completion of assignments, projects,
presentations, tests and quizzes.
Course grade is based on percentage attained of total possible points.
A GPA of 1.8 (75%) is required to receive a certificate of completion.
Assessment Criteria. Grading is by a decimal scale and will be based on the average of
the following activities:
 Quizzes/exams/assignments - 90% accordingly
 Indication/Drug/Mechanism of Action and therapy project paper - 5%
 Oral presentation of project - 5%
NOTE 1: All assignments received 1 week after the due date will lose 50% of the
given grade and after 1 week the score will be 0.
NOTE 2: In the event of your absence of a test or quiz, I must be notified before
class begins with a valid reason. If I am not notified the score will be a zero and I
take this very seriously. It is professional and courteous to let me know if you won’t
be able to take an exam, just as this will matter in your career. Again, I must be
notified ahead of time. I understand things happen, just let me know in a timely
matter so I can respond accordingly.
Note 3: I expect punctuality and professionalism to be a part of this class, as
ultimately we are preparing you for a job.
SCHOLASTIC HONESTY
For this class, any incidence of cheating or other dishonest activity will result in no credit
for the test or assignment with no make-up allowed, possible disciplinary action by the
college, and may jeopardize your status in your degree or certificate program. Cheating is
the unauthorized giving OR receiving of information regarding testing or other material.
Both the individual providing the information and the individual receiving information
are cheating.
Students will conduct themselves in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct, as
specified in the constitution of NSCC.
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SUGGESTED COURSE SCHEDULE:
(Note: A study of the Top 200 Prescription Drugs will be ongoing throughout this
quarter – work sheets and study guides will be provided
Week 1 (April 3, 4 & 5): Intro and Chapter 4 - Antibiotics
Week 2: (April 10, 11 & 12): Chapter 4 until finished. Start Chapter 5
Week 3: (April 17, 18 & 19): Continue Chapter 5 and start Chapter 9 - Asthma
~Brand/Generic Quiz 1 on Chapter 4, Wednesday
Weeks 4: (April 24, 25 & 26): Finish Chapter 9, start Chapter 10 – GI drugs
~Brand/Generic Quiz 2 on Chapter 5, Wednesday
~Homework assignment due on Wednesday
Week 5: (May 1, 2 & 3): Start Chapter 11 – Urinary System
~Brand/Generic Quiz 3 on Chapter 9 on Wednesday
Week 6: (May 8, 9 & 10):
~Midterm on Wednesday – Chapters 4, 5, 9 & 10.
Week 7: (May 16, 17 & May 18): Start Chapter 12 – Cardiovascular Drugs
~Brand/Generic Quiz 4 on Chapter 10
~Homework assignment due on the 18th – Wednesday
Week 8: (May 22 & 24): Chapter 12 continued – Hypertension
~Brand/Generic Quiz 5 on Chapter 11
Week 9: (No class May 29, but class on May 30th & May 31st) Chapter 12 –
Anticoagulants, Antiplatelets and Hyperlipidemia
~Brand/Generic Quiz 6 on Chapter 12 – Hypertension Wednesday
Week 10: (June 5, 6 & 7): Chapter 13: NSAIDS and DMARDS (Disease Modifying
Antirheumatic Drugs)
~Brand/Generic Quiz 7 on Chapter 12 – Antiplatelets, anticoagulants
and Hyperlipidemia on Wednesday
~Project Reports due on Tuesday the 6th.
Week 11: Final – Tuesday June 13th
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11:00 until 1:00 pm on Chapters
11, 12 and 13
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