APS301 Applied Pharmacology for Paramedicine (8)

This subject will expand upon the student's general understanding of pharmacology by applying 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

Availability

* Offering has a residential school. Please view following information for further details.

Session 2 (60)
On Campus
Bathurst Campus
Port Macquarie Campus
Online *
Bathurst Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: APS301. 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 Clinical Practice (Paramedic), Bachelor of Paramedicine and Bachelor of Paramedicine (Honours).
 

Prerequisites

BMS291

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • Explain the indications, contraindications, mechanism of action, dose, route of administration and adverse effects the most common medications used in paramedic practice.
  • Describe interactions, common prescription and home medications with the medications administered by paramedics and the affects these may have on the treatment of patients.
  • Formulate comprehensive medication treatment plans for simulated patients with a variety of medical complaints.
  • Safely and effectively administer medication to patients and perform accurate advanced medical calculations.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • Advanced pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
  • Adrenergic and cholinergic pharmacology
  • Histamine and antihistamine drugs
  • Antipsychotic drugs
  • Anxiolytics, hypnotics and antidepressant drugs
  • Anticonvulsants and muscle relaxants
  • Narcotic analgesics and antagonists
  • Anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic drugs
  • Pharmacology of general and local anaesthesia
  • Digitalis, antiarrhythmic and antianginal drugs
  • Antihypertensive drugs
  • Anticoagulant, fibrinolytic and antiplatelet therapy
  • Diuretic drugs
  • Fluid therapies
  • Bronchodilators and drugs used in the treatment of asthma
  • Treatment of nausea and vomiting

Indicative Assessment

The following table summarises the assessment tasks for the online offering of APS301 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
Online quiz 1
5
2
Online quiz 2
5
3
Pharmacology essay
30
4
Online quiz 3
10
5
Practical exam & oral viva assessment
30
6
Written exam
20

Residential School

This subject contains a 5 day Compulsory Residential School.

The Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) is currently accredited by the Council of Ambulance Authorities (CAA). In aligning to the accreditation policy, face to face time is required when teaching and assessing clinical practice skills. The online subject and internal subject must have equity in teaching standards.

The purpose of the residential school is to demonstrate and practice clinical skills in a safe environment for the student. Allowing them an opportunity to receive timely feedback and support from the hands on experience. APS301 is an applied-in-practice paramedic pharmacology subject that incorporates skills such as administering safe and effective pain relief and other advanced pharmaceutical agents. Many of these skills require supervised practice before allowing the student autonomy in the clinical environment.

Current activities that will be included into the res school for APS301 are

  • Initial patient assessment strategies that minimise risk and harm in the out of hospital environment
  • Practise in the safe and effective pharmacological management of patients
  • Drug handling procedures within the healthcare setting

Special Resources

Travel to and accommodation is required for distance education students attending the compulsory residential school at a CSU campus.

All students are required to have a lab coat, safety glasses and covered footwear for lab based practicals.

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

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