Course Description
Students will continue to develop their understanding of the theory and principles of pharmacology as they relate to psychiatric nursing practice. Students will apply their knowledge of the pharmacodynamics, pharmacotherapeutics and pharmacokinetics of medications within the nursing process. Students will focus on understanding the classification of medications used in the management of acute health variances and will develop a holistic perspective in examining the relationship among medications, the variables of the person, and the environment. Students will examine health promotion issues related to pharmacology in context of secondary, tertiary prevention as intervention. Students will develop a comprehensive knowledge base of medications and use critical thinking in their application of knowledge and pharmacological principles when caring for clients with acute health variances across the lifespan.
Course Content
Build on knowledge and application of Pharmacology I and to further study drugs that are used to manage acute health variances in the more complex client.
Drug Classifications that will be covered are:
- Anti-infectives
- Psychotropics
- Mood Stabilizers
- Anxiolytics
- Anesthetics and Adjunctives
- Antiepileptics
- Blood Forming Agents
- Antilipemics
- Sexual Health Agents
- Reproductive Health Agents
- Antidysrhythmics and antianginals
- Focus on integration and critical thinking in application of pharmacological knowledge/principles.
Methods Of Instruction
It is the intent of faculty to foster learning and promote critical thinking and integration through a variety of means, including lecture, demonstration, group discussion, case study analysis, audio-visual aids and group or individual presentations.
Means of Assessment
The course evaluation is consistent with Douglas College evaluation policy. An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course.
This is a graded course.
Learning Outcomes
In this course students will build on their previous knowledge and experience with pharmacology and will use the Psychiatric Nursing Curricular Threads (wellness-illness continuum, professional values, professional caring and health care delivery system) to further integrate care for the person.
Textbook Materials
A list of required and optional textbooks and materials is provided for students at the beginning of each semester.