Registry

Module Specifications

Archived Version 2020 - 2021

Module Title	Clinical Pharmacology for Nursing Practice
Module Code	NS204
School	38
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Dr Robert O'Connor	Office Number	H257
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the principals of clinical pharmacology applied to health care. 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, contraindicates, dosages, and routes of administration. The practice 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 and 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 acting on 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	32	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	2	Students attend the clinical skills lab for instruction and practice in the administration of subcutaneous and intramuscular injections
Independent Study	50	Independent self directed learning
Independent Study	41	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.
Introduction to Module content & Introduction to clinical pharmacology

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
This section focuses on the main principles related to Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, also introducing cell signalling and receptor pharmacology.

The endocrine system
The students are introducted to the major drug groups that are used in disorders and diseases of the endocrine system

The Urinary system
The students are introducted to the major drug groups that are used in disorders and diseases of the urinary system

The Respiratory system
The students are introducted 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 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 disease.

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 Gastrointestinal System
The students are introducted 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

Pain Management
This section focuses on the pharmacological management of acute and chronic pain. Focusing on the World Health Organisations pharmacological pain management ladder

Injection Technique in all client groups
This section focuses on the differing sites for both intramuscular and subcutaneous injections in all client groups. Evidence based practice is presented to the students in the administration of these injections

Antibiotics, antiviral & antifungal drugs
This section focuses on the major groups of antibiotics, antivirals and antifungals used in health care today. A history of the development these drug groups is given and linked to issues of drug resistance in micro organisms

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

Drugs used in mental health
Differing drug groups such as Antidepressant's, Antimanic, Hypnotics, Anxiolytics drugs are examined. Clinical conditions are addressed to enable students link the theory of pharmacology to the medical treatment of various conditions

Drug calculations and maths
This section focuses on the mathamatical caluclations frequently emplued 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
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
Unavailable

Indicative Reading List

Greenstein, B. & Gould, D: 0, Trounce's Clinical Pharmacology for Nurses, 18 Ed, Churchill Livingstone,
Healy, D: 0, Psychiatric drugs explained., 5th ed, Churchill Livingstone,
Barber,P & Robertson, D: 0, Essentials of Pharmacology for Nurses, 3rd Ed, Open University Press, 0335234046
Katzung, BG: 0, Basic and clinical pharmacology, 14th ed, McGraw-Hill Medical,
Joint Formulary Committee: 2018, British National Formulary (BNF), Pharmaceutical Press,

Other Resources

27612, Website, 0, Rxlist website, http://www.rxlist.com, 27613, Website, 0, Medicines Ireland -regulatory website for Irish medicines, http://www.medicines.ie, 27614, Website, 0, Drug Calculation online test, http://www.testandcalc.com/,

Programme or List of Programmes

BNCG	BSc in Children's & General Nursing
BNGN	BSc in Nursing (General)
BNID	BSc in Nursing (Intellectual Disability)
BNPY	BSc in Nursing (Mental Health)

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