Module: Clinical Pharmacology for Nursing Practice

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Clinical Pharmacology for Nursing Practice
Module Code	NS204 (ITS) / NUR1024 (Banner)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health
Module Co-ordinator	Keith Rochfort
Module Teachers	Leona Bannon
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

Repeat examination
The reassessment of this module is a formal examination. The resit examination follows the same format as the original assessment of 100 multiple choice questions spanning the entire course content which the students have not previously been examined on.

Description

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the principals of clinical pharmacology as applied in health care settings. In this module, students will develop an applied basic knowledge of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Students are introduced to the major drug groups that affect the differing bodily systems. Throughout this module, students are enabled to become self-directed learners; specifically in relation to the most appropriate means of accessing information about individual drugs, their usages, contraindications, dosages, and routes of administration. The practise of clinical skills; specifically, intramuscular and subcutaneous administration of medications are mandatory for completion of the module. Underpinning the above, the importance of the role of the nurse in drug administration and evaluation of their effectiveness is emphasized and students are given specific instruction on drug calculations. Participants are expected to attend lectures, contribute in class, attend clinical skills sessions, an engage in formative assessment throughout the module.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe their understanding of the concepts of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in pharmacology.
2. Show their understanding of the differing drug groups and how each respectively acts on and influences the major bodily systems.
3. Express their application of the mathematical formulations required in the calculation of drug dosages.
4. Demonstrate their theoretical knowledge and clinical skills of administering subcutaneous and intramuscular injections.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	36	Students are given specific readings, both book chapters and journal articles for each lecture. They and are expected to review them during their independent learning time
Clinical laboratory	4	Students attend the clinical skills lab for instruction and practice in the administration of subcutaneous and intramuscular injections
Independent Study	45	Independent self-directed learning
Independent Study	40	Library reading work
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Overview of module content.
The students will be introduced to the structure of NS204, before an overview of the inception and evolution of clinical pharmacology to what it is today is examined.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
This section will introduce students to the key fundamentals and principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, while also introducing cell signaling and receptor activity in the context of pharmacology.

Antibiotics, antiviral and antifungal drugs
This section will focus on the major groups of antibiotics, antivirals and antifungals used in healthcare today. A history of the development these drug groups will be given, whilst highlighting the issues relating to drug resistance in microorganisms.

The Respiratory System
The students are introduced to the major drug groups that are used in disorders and diseases of the respiratory system. Clinical conditions are addressed to enable students link the theory of pharmacology to the medical treatment of various conditions / disease states.

The Cardiovascular System
This section focuses on the major drug groups that are used in disorders and diseases of the cardiovascular system. Clinical conditions are addressed to enable students link the theory of pharmacology to the medical treatment of various conditions / disease states.

The Central Nervous System
The role of the nervous system in neurotransmission and drug interactions will be outlined. Students will then be introduced to the major drug groups that are used in disorders and diseases of the central nervous system including neurodegenerative diseases, and also those used in mental health such as antidepressants, antimanic, and hypnotics. Clinical conditions are addressed to enable students link the theory of pharmacology to the medical treatment of various conditions.

The Gastrointestinal System
The students are introduced to the major drug groups that are used in disorders and diseases of the gastrointestinal system. Clinical conditions are addressed to enable students link the theory of pharmacology to the medical treatment of various conditions / disease states.

The Endocrine System
The students are introduced to the major drug groups that are used in disorders and diseases of the endocrine system. Clinical conditions are addressed to enable students link the theory of pharmacology to the medical treatment of various conditions / disease states.

The Urinary System
The students are introduced to the major drug groups that are used in disorders and diseases of the urinary system. Clinical conditions are addressed to enable students link the theory of pharmacology to the medical treatment of various conditions / disease states.

Pain Management
This section focuses on the concept of ‘pain’ and the pharmacological management of acute and chronic forms of such.

Injection Technique in all Client Groups
This section focuses on training the students to practically deliver intramuscular and subcutaneous injections in all client groups. Theory which highlights the differing sites for both intramuscular and subcutaneous injections in all client groups, the respective advantages and disadvantages associated with such, and evidence-based evolution of each respective technique is presented to the students in the administration of these injections.

Concordance and Self-Medication
Research-based evidence is discussed with the students which focuses on a) issues which affect client concordance with medications and b) societal and cultural issues surrounding self-medication.

Drug Calculations and Maths
This section focuses on introducing the students to the most common mathematical calculations employed in the calculation of drug dosages.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	0%	Examination Weight	100%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Greenstein, B. & Gould, D: 0, Trounce's Clinical Pharmacology for Nurses, 18th Edition, Churchill Livingstone,
Healy, D: 0, Psychiatric drugs explained., 5th ed, Churchill Livingstone,
Ritter, J., & Rang, H.P.: 0, Pharmacology, 9th Edition, Elsevier,
Barber,P & Robertson, D: 0, Essentials of Pharmacology for Nurses, 3rd Edition, Open University Press,
Adams, M.P. & Urban, C.: 0, Pharmacology: Connections to Nursing Practise, 6th Edition, Pearson,
Katzung, BG: 0, Basic and clinical pharmacology, 14th ed, McGraw-Hill Medical,
Joint Formulary Committee: 2018, British National Formulary (BNF), Pharmaceutical Press,

Other Resources

60983, Website, 0, Rxlist website, http://www.rxlist.com, 60984, Website, 0, Medicines Ireland -regulatory website for Irish medicines, http://www.medicines.ie, 60985, Website, 0, Drug Calculation online test, http://www.testandcalc.com/,