NURS 126 - Pharmacology in Nursing Practice II

2 Credits
This course is the second part of a two-semester sequence that reinforces 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 additional 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 211, BIOL 211L, NURS 101, NURS 101C, NURS 125
Recommended Corequisite(s): BIOL 312 - May also 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. Recognize 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.