CLS403 Essentials in Paramedicine: Pharmacology (8)

This subject will expand upon the students' general understanding of pharmacology from their nursing education and work experience, and then applying further learning and understanding to these principles to paramedic practice. Students will be introduced to medications used in managing a wide variety of clinical conditions encountered in out-of-hospital settings. Students will provide provisional diagnosis to patient conditions and then make sound clinical decisions and safely administer medications to treat these conditions. Students will comprehend the relationship between the patients own medications and the medications that paramedics administer.

No offerings have been identified for this subject in 2022.

Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Biomedical Sciences

Enrolment Restrictions

Only available to students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma of Clinical Practice (Paramedicine).
Not available to students who have completed APS401.

Assumed Knowledge

It is assumed that students studying this subject would have understanding of patient prescribed medications, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics from previous practice and study.

Subject Relationships

APS401 Replaced by CLS403

Incompatible Subjects

APS401

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to explain the indications, contraindications, mechanism of action, dose, route of administration and adverse effects of the most common medications used in paramedic practice;
  • be able to identify common prescription and over the counter(OTC) medications and describe their interactions with the medications administered by paramedics to inform decision making and medication treatment;
  • be able to formulate, evaluate and adapt/modify comprehensive medication treatment plans for patients with a variety of medical complaints; and
  • be able to safely and effectively administer medication to patients and perform accurate advanced medical calculations.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • Introduction to pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
  • The autonomic nervous system (SNS, PNS), the respiratory system and anaphylaxis/allergies
  • Fluid and intravenous therapy
  • Antiemetics and drugs used for the gastrointestinal system
  • Pain medication, analgesia by paramedics and antipyretics
  • Central Nervous System illness and medications
  • Cardiac: Disease and emergencies
  • Cardiac: Antiarrhythmics
  • Cardiac patient prescribed medications
  • Endocrine and obstetric medications, home and paramedic use
  • Toxicology and antimicrobials/antivirals

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: June 2022. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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