Module: Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice
Module Code	NUR1129 (ITS: NS5072P)
Faculty	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

To develop an expanded understanding of pharmacology principles and their application in the clinical setting. Students will use the foundational knowledge of pharmokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and therapeutics, in order to critically analyse how medications affect physiological, pathophysiological and biochemical processes. Students will articulate the key pharmacological characteristics of drug classes, as well as derive an understanding of specific features of individual drugs. Significant issues such as patient education, polypharmacy and concordance are also examined. Students will acquire an understanding of pharmacotherapeutics of patients with common and complex health problems

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically analyse the relevance of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in practice along with factors that influence these processes.
2. Critically analyse and explain the principles underlying pharmacokinetics and drug-drug interactions.
3. Develop searchable, answerable practice related questions to inform decision-making based on the steps of the evidence- based practice process.
4. Demonstrate expanding knowledge of patient education in relation to prescribed medications.
5. Critically analyse and explain medication regimes for specific clinical conditions in their area of practice.
6. Critically analyse and explain concepts such as concordance and polypharmacy across the lifespan

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	36	In class lecture
Class Presentation	12	Student presentations on case studies
Independent Study	202	Reflection on concepts and frameworks underpinning module focus; prospect for critical and creative thinking; assimilation of new knowledge; identification of informal learning opportunities.
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	20841	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Siobhan Rothwell	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Case study critically examining the pharmacologic management of a specific patient group	25%	n/a
Assignment	2nd case study critically evaluating patient education in relation to medication regime, incorporating issues of concordance and polypharmacy	35%	n/a
Loop Quiz	On line MCQ at the end of Semester.	40%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Indicative content
Extended examination of pharmokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and therapeutics. Examine how medications affect physiological, biochemical and pathophysiological processes. Understand the principles of concordance and polypharmacy. Medication regimes for specific clinical conditions e.g cardiac, respiratory, gastrointestinal diseases, endocrine, urinary. Patient education in relation to prescribed medications and medication regimes. Altered physiological, biochemical and pathophysiological processes and pharmacy across the life span. Actions, adverse reactions and contraindications for commonly prescribed medication. Key pharmacological characteristics of drug classes.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Adams, M., Holland, N. and C. Urban: 2016, Pharmacology for Nurses: A Pathophysiologic Approach, 5th Edition, Pearson, Harlow,UK., 978013425516
Brown, M. and Mulholland, J.: 2015, Drug calculations: Ratio and Proportion Problems for Clinical Practice, 10th Edition, Mosby, New York, 9780323316590
Poole Arcangelo, V. and Peterson, A.M.: 2013, Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice. A Practical Approach Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins., 3rd Edition, Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins., Philadelphia, 978149631996
Karch A.: 2014, Lippincott Nursing Drug Guide, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia, 978145118655

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None