NURS 125 - Pharmacology in Nursing Practice I

2 Credits
This course is the first part of a two-semester sequence that introduces the basic principles of pharmacology used to safely administer medications and monitor effects of drug therapy. The clinical judgment model and the nursing process are used to highlight the nurse’s role in ensuring safe and effective pharmacological therapies for patients across the lifespan. Students learn the characteristics of select, commonly-used drug prototypes and classifications utilized for various health conditions and disease states.

Grade Note(s): A grade of B- or better is required to pass this course successfully.
Fees: Additional course fees apply.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 221 and BIOL 221L; CHEM 150 and CHEM 150L
Corequisite(s): NURS 101 and NURS 101C; BIOL 211* and BIOL 211L*; BIOL 222* and BIOL 222L*

*May be taken as a prerequisite.
Course Learning Outcomes:
1. Apply basic principles of pharmacology to safe medication administration for commonly used drug classifications and prototypes, nutraceuticals and herbal products.
2. Explain the nurse’s professional responsibilities in promoting safety, maximizing therapeutic effects, and minimizing adverse effects of drug therapy for diverse patients across the lifespan.
3. Determine applicable and therapeutic patient education related to medications to promote self-management.
4. Demonstrate competency in performing drug dosage calculations.
5. Describe mechanisms of action, therapeutic effects, side effects, adverse reactions and interaction for select drug classifications and prototypes, nutraceuticals and herbal products.
6. Relate pharmacological therapies to specific pathophysiological processes.
7. Identify methods for preventing medication errors through evidence-based communication, information technologies, and system processes consistent with ethical, legal, professional, and regulatory standards.