NURS 134 Introduction to Pharmacology

3 credits

The nursing pharmacology course is designed to provide nursing students with a comprehensive understanding of pharmacology principles and their application in clinical practice. This course covers the mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses, side effects, and nursing implications of various drug classes. Emphasis is placed on safe medication administration, patient education, and the integration of pharmacologic knowledge into holistic patient care.

Prerequisites: All NURS courses in previous quarter

Corequisites: All NURS courses within same quarter

Course Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

Understand the basic principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
Identify the major drug classifications and their mechanisms of action
Recognize common indications, contraindications, side effects, and adverse reactions associated with different medications
Apply critical thinking and clinical judgment skills to pharmacology case study scenarios
Discuss education considerations for clients and their families regarding medication regimens, including potential side effects and the importance of adherence
Discuss evidence-based practices in the administration and management of pharmacological therapies
Discuss ethical and legal standards in medication administration and management

College-Wide Learning Outcomes
This course teaches to the college-wide learning outcome of Information Literacy, the ability to recognize when information is needed, to choose the appropriate tools to locate the required information, and to effectively gather and evaluate the information.

Total Hours: 30 Theory (Lecture) Hours: 30