General Information

• Name: Foundations of Pharmacology in Nursing I
• Discipline: Nursing (NURS)
• Units (Credits): 1
• Schedule History: See when this course was offered over the last three years.
• Transfer Information: Courses with numbers 100 to 299: This course is designed to apply toward a WNC degree and/or transfer to other schools within the Nevada System of Higher Education, depending on the degree chosen and other courses completed. It may transfer to colleges and universities outside Nevada. For information about how this course can transfer and apply to your program of study, please contact a counselor.
• Academic Division: Nursing and Allied Health

Prerequisites and Recommended Courses

• Prerequisites: admission to the nursing program.

Course Outline

I: Catalog Course Description

Provides students with an overview of pharmacology with an emphasis on clinical applications within the context of the nursing process and prioritization of needs; with special consideration given to the physiological, psycho/social, cultural, and spiritual needs of patients. Explores indications, modes of action, effects, contraindications and interactions for selected drugs. Specific nursing responsibilities related to drug administration are emphasized. Formerly NURS 141.

II: Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

• Define terms, concepts, and basic processes associated with physiologic effects of medication therapy.
• Detail basic physiologic processes involved with absorption and elimination of medications.
• Describe characteristics of major groups and selected individual medications in terms of the following: mechanism(s) of action; drug effects; therapeutic uses; side effects and adverse effects; toxicity and management of overdoses; interactions; and nursing responsibilities related to administration, monitoring, and teaching.
• Utilize available resources to update personal knowledge of medications.
• Utilize appropriate conversions to practice drug dosage calculations.
• Describe legal/regulatory issues related to medication administration.
• Examine current literature on a pharmacological topic of interest and demonstrate college level writing skills and APA format in a one-page paper.
• Describe the nursing role in drug therapy as it relates to:
  • Promoting physiologic and psychological wellness.
  • Documenting therapeutic or non-therapeutic effects.
  • Selected legal and ethical aspects of medication therapy.
  • Major issues/concerns in medication therapy across the lifespan.
  • Application of the nursing process.
  • Nursing responsibilities related to documentation and patient teaching.
• Evaluate influences of medications on body systems using the nursing process and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.

III: Course Linkage

Linkage of course to educational program mission and at least one educational program outcome.

Linkage of course to the Associate of Applied Sciences Degree Mission and Outcomes, Nursing Program Mission, Nursing Program Outcomes, and General Education Outcomes.

Link to the Associate of Applied Sciences Degree Mission and Outcomes

The purpose of the Assocate of Applied Science degree is to provide employment-related knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in a chosen field of study.

Students who complete programs in occupational areas are expected to demonstrate that they

1. Know subject area of the degree
2. Are able to acquire skills and perform tasks necessary for employment or career enhancement

Link to the Nursing Program Mission

The mission of the nursing program at Western Nevada College is to meet the nursing educational needs of the service area. The program prepares qualified students to function as entry-level registered nurses and transfer to higher degree programs.

Graduates are prepared to function in a variety of health care settings, providing culturally sensitive, holistic nursing care to individuals and families across the lifespan. The nursing faculty supports graduate competency in an evolving and complex health care environment by facilitating the students' development of clinical judgement, promoting professional behaviors, and fostering the value of lifelong learning.

Link to at least one Nursing Program Educational Outcome

Integrate knowledge derived from the bio/psycho/social sciences, humanities, and nursing to achieve deliberative and competent decision-making that is grounded in evidence based practice to achieve best practice outcomes.

Link to at least one General Education Outcome

Have college-level skills in reading, writing, and oral communication appropriate to their degree and/or emphasis.