NRS281 Pharmacology and Therapeutics for Nurses (8)

This subject enables students to develop the knowledge and skills required for the safe administration of medications, including relevant nursing and patient education considerations. Students will explore pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacogenetics, drug groups, principles of adverse drug effects, drug interactions, side effects, and the use and abuse of prescription and non-prescription drugs.

Availability

Session 2 (60)
On Campus
Albury-Wodonga Campus
Bathurst Campus
Dubbo Campus
Port Macquarie Campus
Wagga Wagga Campus
Online
Bathurst Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: NRS281. 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 Nursing, Paramedicine and Healthcare Sciences

Enrolment Restrictions

Bachelor of Nursing
 

Prerequisites

( NRS173 and NRS274 ) or BMS192

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to describe the core concepts of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion in the context of safe nursing practice across the lifespan;
  • be able to discuss key issues associated with drug therapies for individuals, families and communities, including the management of side-effects of these therapies;
  • be able to identify different drug groups and explain the mode of action of the drug adverse effects, drug interactions, and side effects in the context of safe nursing practice and;
  • be able to discuss the concepts of drug misuse and abuse, physical and psychological dependence, withdrawal symptoms and development of tolerance, in the context of safe nursing practice.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION TO PHARMACOLOGY AND PRINCIPLES OF PHARMACOLOGY
  • This module introduces students to the subject and a range of important principles, in the context of safe nursing practice;
  • The registered nurse, drugs and medicines;
  • Legal, clinical and ethical foundations of pharmacotherapy;
  • Pharmacokinetics (drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion) and dosing regimen;
  • Over-the-counter drugs and complementary therapies;
  • Molecular drug targets and pharmacodynamics;
  • Pharmacogenetics and individualised drug therapy and;
  • Adverse drug reactions, drug interactions, and the role of the registered nurse.
  • MODULE 2: DRUGS AFFECTING THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM AND DRUGS AFFECTING THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
  • This module supports students: learning in relation to medicines that affect the peripheral nervous system and the central nervous system, in the context of safe nursing practice:
  • Central nervous system overview;
  • Overview of the autonomic and somatic nervous systems- drugs affecting cholinergic transmission;
  • Analgesics and anesthetics;
  • Antianxiety, sedative and hypnotic drugs;
  • Antiepileptic drugs;
  • Psychotropic agents;
  • Central nervous system stimulants;
  • Drugs for neurodegenerative disorders and headache and;
  • Drugs affecting the eye and ear.
  • MODULE 3: DRUGS AFFECTING THE HEART, VASCULAR SYSTEM, AND RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
  • This module supports students' learning in relation to medicines that affect the heart and vascular system, in the context of safe nursing practice:
  • Drugs affecting cardiac function;
  • Drugs affecting vascular smooth muscle;
  • Lipid-lowering drugs and;
  • Drugs used in respiratory disorders.
  • MODULE 4: DRUGS AFFECTING THE URINARY SYSTEM AND DRUGS AFFECTING THE BLOOD
  • This module supports students? learning in relation to medicines that affect the urinary system and medicines that affect the blood, in the context of safe nursing practice:
  • Drugs affecting the kidney and bladder;
  • Drugs affecting thrombosis and haemostasis;
  • Drugs affecting the haemopoietic system.
  • MODULE 5: DRUGS AFFECTING THE GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM
  • This module supports students' learning in relation to medicines that affect the gastro-intestinal system, in the context of safe nursing practice:
  • Drugs affecting the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract.
  • MODULE 6: DRUGS AFFECTING THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM AND DRUGS AFFECTING THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
  • This module supports students' learning in relation to medicines that affect the endocrine system, in the context of safe nursing practice:
  • The neuroendocrine system and pituitary gland;
  • Pharmacology of the adrenal cortex;
  • Pharmacology of the endocrine pancreas;
  • Pharmacology of the thyroid glands and parathyroid glands;
  • Drugs affecting the female reproductive system and;
  • Drugs affecting the male reproductive system.
  • MODULE 7: DRUGS AFFECTING MICROORGANISMS
  • This module supports students' learning in relation to medicines that are used in response to infections, in the context of safe nursing practice:
  • Overview of antimicrobial chemotherapy and antibiotic resistance;
  • Antibacterial drugs;
  • Antifungal and antiviral drugs;
  • Antiprotozoal, antimycobacterial and anthelmintic drugs;
  • Drugs affecting body defences;
  • Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating drugs and;
  • Drugs affecting the skin.
  • MODULE 8: SPECIAL TOPICS
  • This module supports students' learning in relation to a range of special topics:
  • Administration of medicines as a responsibility of the registered nurse;
  • Education of patients and families to manage side-effects of medications;
  • Drug dependence and social pharmacology;
  • Drugs in sport;
  • Pharmacotherapy of obesity;
  • Envenomation and antivenoms and;
  • Chemical restraint.

Indicative Assessment

The following table summarises the assessment tasks for the online offering of NRS281 in Session 2 2021. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated and can also differ to suit the mode of study (online or on campus).

Item Number
Title
Value %
1
Written case study
50
2
Online quiz
50

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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