North Arkansas College
Pharmacology III
NURS 2031
Spring 2014
North Arkansas College
Pharmacology III
NURS 2031
Location/Class Meeting Times: Thursdays-1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Room 172
Course Description
Pharmacology III is a 1-credit course designed to give nursing students a thorough and practical
understanding of pharmacology for nursing practice. Emphasis at this level is placed on therapeutic
action of medications, drug interactions, common dosages, administration and nursing responsibilities
for monitoring/assessing and intervention during treatment of patients as well as patient and family
teaching. Applicable evidence based studies will be highlighted throughout the course.
Course Requirements
Successful completion of Pharmacology I and Pharmacology II and grade of 79% or better for
Pharmacology III will be necessary for continuation in the Registered Nursing program. Students are
expected to take exams as scheduled. Make-up exams are given only with advanced notice and at the
discretion of the instructor (will not be the same exam given during scheduled class) and will be taken
within one week of the original test date. Students are allowed only one make-up exam per course.
Textbooks Required
Kee, J.L., Hayes, E.R.,& McCuistion, L. (2012). Pharmacology: A nursing process approach, (7th ed).
Philadelphia: Saunders.
Smeltzer, S. & Bare, B. (2010). Brunner & Suddarth’s Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing (12th ed.).
Philadelphia: Lippincott.
Instructors
Amy Gipson, MSN, RN
Office number: A100 A
Office phone:
870-391-3169
Email:
agipson@northark.edu
Available to students at the following time:
Monday
Clinical
Tuesday
Clinical
Office Hours:
Wednesday: 9 am - 12 pm; 1 pm- 3 pm
Thursday: 8:30 am- 3 pm (If not in class)
Friday: By appointment
Grading:
Grading standards and examination policies for this course are consistent with those of North Arkansas
College Registered Nursing Program Handbook. Please refer to this publication. End of Course
evaluation is determined as follows:
Module Exams
70%
Final (Comprehensive)
20%
ATI
10%
Cumulative average of 79% is required for passage of course
Grading Scale:
91-100 A
84-90 B
79-83 C
70-78 D
<70
F
General Policies:
The Medical Surgical Nursing III course adheres to all policies in the Registered Nursing Program
Handbook and the Northark Student Handbook. You are responsible for knowing the information in
the Registered Nursing Program Handbook for this course.
Absenteeism:
Refer to your Registered Nursing Program Handbook.
Make-Up Exams:
1. All exams should be taken at the scheduled time.
2. The student MUST notify the instructor prior to the exam if the student is unable to take the
exam at the scheduled time. A missed examination is considered a class absence.
3. Arrangements must be made by the student as soon as possible.
4. Student may make-up ONE test only per semester at the instructor’s discretion.
5. Failure to comply with the stated requirements omits the privilege of taking a make-up test and
a zero will be given for the test not taken.
6. An alternative exam may be administered
ADA statement: North Arkansas College complies with Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Students with disabilities who need special accommodations should make their
requests in the following way: (1) talk to the instructor after class or during office
hours about their disability or special need related to classroom work; and/or (2)
contact Special Services in Room M188 and ask to speak to Kim Brecklein.
Course Objectives:
At the conclusion of Pharmacology III the student will be able to:
1. Incorporate evidenced based nursing into clinical decisions combining current research,
clinical expertise and patient preferences (Spirit of Inquiry)
2. Plan nursing interventions that will result in appropriate and safe administration of
medications (Nursing Judgment)
3. Formulate appropriate, culturally specific teaching strategies to improve patient compliance
and understanding of a medication regimen (Human Flourishing, Professional Identity)
4. Explain pharmacological characteristics of specific classifications of drugs; their mechanism
of action, uses, side effects, adverse reactions and nursing considerations as to age, race
and existing medical problems (Professional Identity)
Pharmacology III Course Modules
Module I
Chapter 40 Drugs for Upper Respiratory Disorders
Chapter 41 Drugs for Lower Respiratory Disorders
Chapter 32 Antituberculars
Module II
Chapter 42 Cardiac Glycosides, Antianginals, and Antidysrthythmics
Chapter 44 Antihypertensives
Chapter 45 Anticoagulants, Antiplatelets and Thrombolytics
Chapter 46 Antilipidemics and Peripheral Vasodilators
Module III
Chapter 18 Adrenergics and Adrenergic Blockers
Chapter 19 Cholinergics and Anticholinergics
Module IV
Chapter 22 Anticonvulsants
Chapter 23 Parkinsonism and Alzheimer’s Disease Medications
Chapter 24 Drugs for Neuromuscular Disorders: Myasthenia Gravis,
Multiple Sclerosis, and Muscle Spasms
Monday
January 13
Tuesday
January 14
Wednesday
January 15
January 20
January 21
January 22
Thursday
January 16
Module I
Chapter 40
January 23
MLK Holiday
No classes
January 27
Clinical
February 3
Clinical
February 10
Clinical
February 17
Clinical
February 24
Clinical
March 3
January 24
Module I
Chapter 41
January 28
January 29
January 30
February 4
January 31
Module I
Chapter 32
Clinical
February 5
February 6
Module I Test
February 7
February 12
February 13
Module II
Chapter 42
February 14
February 19
February 20
Module II
Chapter 44
February 21
February 26
February 27
Module II
Chapters 45 & 46
February 28
March 5
March 6
Module II Test
March 7
Clinical
February 11
Clinical
February 18
Clinical
February 25
Clinical
March 4
Clinical
Friday
January 17
Clinical
March 10
Clinical
(Optional ACLS)
March 11
Clinical
(Optional ACLS)
March 12
March 13
Module III
Chapters 18 & 19
March 14
March 17
March 18
March 19
March 20
Module III
Chapter 59
March 21
March 26
March 27
March 28
Clinical
March 24
Clinical
March 25
 Spring Break 
NURS 2031 Spring 2014 Calendar
March 31
April 1
April 2
Preceptor Clinical
Starts
(60 hours)
April 7
April 8
April 9
April 10
Module IV
Chapter 22 and 23
April 11
April 15
April 16
April 17
Module IV
Chapter 24
April 18
April 22
April 23
April 24
April 25
Precep Clinical
April 21
Finish Precep
Clinical
April 28
May 5
April 4
Module III Test
Precep Clinical
April 14
April 3
Module IV Test
April 29
May 6
Pharmacology III
Final Exam
April 30
May 1
May 7
ATI Comprehensive
Pharmacology Test
May 8
May 2
May 9
PINNING TONIGHT
Graduation:
Saturday,
May 10 at 10 a.m.
Module I: Drugs for Respiratory Disorders and Antitubercular Agents
Course Outcomes: 1,2,3,4
OUTCOMES
1. Compare antihistamine,
decongestant,
antitussive, and
expectorant drug
groups.
2. Differentiate the drug
groups used to treat
COPD and asthma and
the desired side effects
of each.
3. Contrast the therapeutic
effects of leukotriene
antagonists,
glucocorticoids,
cromolyn,
antihistamines, and
mucolytics for COPD
and asthma.
4. Develop a teaching plan
for patients taking
medications used for
COPD, including
asthma, and restrictive
lung disease.
5. Explain the use of
antitubercular drugs in
the treatment of
tubuerculosis.
6. Discuss strategies to
improve medication
compliance in patients
taking antitubercular
drugs.
CONTENT
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Action
Therapeutic Uses
Contraindications
Side effects and adverse reactions
Nursing Implications
a. Pre assessment
b. Teaching
c. Post medication
evaluation
d. Food and drug interactions
6. Safety Implications
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Antihistamines
Decongestants
Antitussives
Expectorants
Alpha and Beta
Adrenergic agonists
f. Anticholinergics
g. Methylxanthine derivatives
h. Leukotriene receptor
antagonists
i. Anti-inflammatory drugs
for COPD
j. Antituberculars
LEARNER ACTIVITIES
Read Chapters 40, 41, 32
Read ATI Chapter 17-18
PowerPoint
Role play a developed teaching
plan for patients taking
medications used to treat COPD
Drug Highlights
Diphenhydramine
Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide
Metaproterenol
Montelukast
Isoniazid
Module II: Cardiovascular Agents
Course Outcomes: 1,2,3,4
OUTCOMES
1. Differentiate the actions
of cardiac glycosides,
antianginal drugs, and
antidysrhythmic drugs.
2. Compare the side effects
and adverse reactions of
nitrates, beta blockers,
calcium channel blockers,
quinidine, and
procainamide.
3. Identify categories of
antihypertensive drugs.
4. Give blood pressure
guidelines for
determining
hypertension.
5. Apply essential teaching
criteria for a patient
taking cardiovascular
agents.
6. Discuss strategies to
improve medication
compliance in patients
taking antihypertensives.
7. Discuss the safety
implications of
administering
anticoagulants,
antiplatelets, and
thrombolytics.
8. Discuss how to monitor
for the side effects and
adverse reactions of
antihyperlipidemics and
peripheral vasodilators.
CONTENT
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Action
Therapeutic Uses
Contraindications
Side effects and adverse reactions
Nursing Implications
a. Pre assessment
b. Teaching
c. Post medication evaluation
d. Food and drug interactions
6. Safety Implications
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
Cardiac Glycosides
Agents to treat heart failure
Antianginals
Antisysrhythmic drugs
Antihypertensives
Anticoagulants
Antiplatelets
Thrombolytics
Antihyperlipidemics
Peripheral vasodilators
LEARNER ACTIVITIES
Read Chapters 42, 44, 45,
46
Read ATI Chapters 20-25
PowerPoint
Develop patient education
handout with essential
teaching points for patients
taking cardiovascular
medications used
evidenced based practice
strategies.
Drug Highlights
Digoxin
Nitroglycerin
Acebutolol HCL
Amiodarone HCL
Metoprolol
Prazosin
Heparin
Coumadin
Clopidogrel Bisulfate
Alteplase
Atorvastatin
Isoxsuprine HCL
Module III: Autonomic Nervous System Agents and Adult Emergency Drugs
Course Outcomes: 1,2,3,4
OUTCOMES
_________________________
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Describe the action on 1.
major systems of the body
of adrenergic agonists,
adrenergic blockers,
cholinergic agonists, and
anticholinergics.
Explain nursing
interventions when
administering adrenergic
agonists, adrenergic
blockers, cholinergic
agonists, and
anticholinergics.
Describe safety
implications with drug
interactions with
autonomic nervous system
agents.
Describe Indications for
emergency drugs.
Discuss nursing
implications for the
administration of
emergency drugs.
CONTENT
___________________________________
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Action
Therapeutic Uses
Contraindications
Side effects and adverse reactions
Nursing Implications
a. Pre assessment
b. Teaching
c. Post medication evaluation
d. Food and drug interactions
6. Safety Implications
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Adrenergic agonists
Adrenergic blockers
Cholinergic agonists
Anticholinergics
Emergency Drugs
LEARNER ACTIVITIES
________________________
Read Chapters 18, 19, 59
PowerPoint
Develop concept map study
tool.
Drug Highlights
Albuterol
Atenolol
Bethanechol chloride
Atropine
Trihexyphenidyl HCL
Tolterodine Tartrate
Mannitol
Naloxone
Dopamine
Module IV: Neurologic and Neuromuscular Agents
Course Outcomes: 1,2,3,4
OUTCOMES
________________________
1. Discuss how to safely 7.
administer
anticonvulsant
medications.
2. Recognize the action and
use of medications used
to treat Parkinsonism.
3. Describe the side effects
of antiparkinson drugs.
4. Explain the group of
medications used to treat
Alzheimer’s disease.
5. Discuss the drug group
used to treat myasthenia
gravis.
6. Explain the treatment
strategies for the three
phases of multiple
sclerosis.
7. Summarize the teaching
principles for patients
taking medications for
multiple sclerosis.
8. Differentiate between
the muscle relaxants
used for spasticity and
those used for muscle
spasms.
1.
CONTENT
__________________________________
1. Action
2. Therapeutic Uses
3. Contraindications
4. Side effects and adverse
reactions
5. Nursing Implications
a. Pre assessment
b. Teaching
c. Post medication
d. evaluation
e. Food and drug
interactions
6. Safety Implications
a. Acetylcholinesterase
Inhibitors
b. Cholinesterase Inhibitors
c. Skeletal Muscle Relaxants
d. Centrally Acting Muscle
Relaxants
LEARNER ACTIVITIES
_____________________
Read Chapters 22, 23, 24
PowerPoint
Group activity case study
Drug Highlights
Pyridostigmine
Bromide
Carisoprodol
Pharmacology Essentials
Study Tool
What is the action of the drug or class? What should happen and/or what
could happen when a patient takes this medication?
Is this a safe dose? When should you collaborate with a pharmacist?
If they were having an allergic reaction, how would you know?
What information lets you know the drug is effective?
Evaluate patient response to medication (therapeutic effects, side effects,
adverse reaction).
Who should not take?
Are there any food, drug or herbal interactions that stand out?
What assessment information is required before administration? (labs, vital
signs, allergies, contraindications)
What safety principles must be followed to safely administer?
What teaching do you provide to the patient when giving the medication?
What teaching is necessary prior to discharge?
What stands out about this medication (unique, such as ototoxicity,
compromises renal function, do not stop abruptly, sit up after taking)?