PNUR 104 Pharmacology I is an introductory course that examines the principles of pharmacology required to administer medications in a safe and professional manner. Medication administration requires the application of the nursing process for clinical decision making. Various routes of medication administration are introduced, and complementary, Indigenous and alternative remedies, and polypharmacy across the lifespan are also explored.
Notes:
Course outcomes will be met through examination and exploration of the following:
• Introduction to pharmacology.
• The LPN role and legal responsibilities of medication administration.
• Pharmacodynamics.
• Pharmacokinetics.
• Drug actions and interactions.
• Drug classifications according to body systems.
• Principles of medication administration.
• Drug distribution systems.
• Basic terminology used in pharmacology.
• Nursing process and pharmacology.
• Routes of medication administration:
o Oral.
o Rectal.
o Topical.
o Parenteral.
o Percutaneous.
• Introduction to complementary, Indigenous and traditional healing alternatives.
• Vitamin supplements.
• Herbal preparations.
• Homeopathy.
• Basic medication dosage calculations.
• Polypharmacy across the lifespan.
Prerequisites: PNUR 114, PNUR 100, and PNUR 101 all with a minimum of 70%
Corequisite: PNUR 102, PNUR 103, PNUR 105
Accessibility Services Notice
Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.Course Details| Total number of weeks | 9 |
|---|
| Total Credits | |
|---|
| Total Hours | 30 |
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Typical hours per week breakdown| Lecture | 3.5 |
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Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
- Describe the responsibility of the LPN in administration of medication
- Explain how drug standards and the drug legislation affect drug regulation in Canada
- Explain the purpose of the Canadian drug laws and their application to nursing practice
- Describe the concepts of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
- Identify basic terminology used in pharmacology
- Describe the principles of pharmacology as related to common drug actions and interactions
- Demonstrate competency with basic mathematical drug calculations
- Identify commonly used drug classification systems in Canada
- Explain the principles of medication administration
- Describe the routes of medication administration
- Apply the nursing process as it relates to medication administration
- Identify various classes of medications used to treat specific disorders/illness
- Identify complementary, Indigenous and alternative therapies
Teaching and Learning Approach
Instructors provide direction of learning in preparation, in course activities and reflection of the content. The
instructor acts as facilitator and expert to promote an environment conducive for learning through activities such
as guided discussion, debate, audio-visual presentation, group activities, online activities, skill building exercises
and simulation.Learning Resources
BCCNM: Current British Columbia College of Nurses & Midwives (BCCNM) documents
Burchum, J.R. and Rosenthal, L.D. (2022). Lehne’s pharmacology for nursing care (11th ed.). St. Louis, MO:
Saunders Elsevier.
Killian, T. N. (2021). Gray Morris’s Calculate with Confidence, Canadian Edition (2nd ed.). Elsevier.
Ochs, G., Engel, J., & Shoalts, K. (2019). Study Guide to accompany Potter/Perry Canadian Fundamentals of
Nursing (6th ed.). Elsevier Canada.
Vallerand, A., Sanoski, C. (2022). Davis’s Drug Guide for Nurses (18th ed.). F. A. Davis.
Williams & Wilkins. Potter, P. A. & Perry, A. (2018) Canadian fundamentals of nursing (6th ed.). Toronto, ON:
Elsevier Canada.Detailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered
1. Introduction to course (Pharmacology I) Overview of course assignments The LPN role and legal responsibilities of medication administration.
2. Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics
3. Drug actions and interactions. Drug classifications according to body systems. Quiz #1
4. Principles of medication administration. Math calculations
5. Medication Orders Math Calculations Quiz #2
6. Distribution systems Documentation Math calculations
7. Introduction to complementary, Indigenous and traditional healing alternatives. Vitamin supplements. Herbal preparations. Homeopathy Math calculations Quiz #3
8. Practical Skills: Math skills exam - In class Theory: Final cumulative exam - In classAssessment
| Title | Learning Outcomes | Value |
|---|
| Theory: Quiz #1 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | 20% |
| Theory: Quiz #2 | 6,8,9,12 | 20% |
| Theory: Quiz #3 | 10,11,13 | 20% |
| Theory: Final cumulative exam | 1-13 | 40% |
| Practical Skills: Math skills exam | 7 | CRG/NCG |
| Total | 100% |
Grading Table
Standard Academic and Career Programs Grading Table
| Percentage |
Letter Grade |
GPA |
| 90-100 |
A+ |
4.33 |
| 85-89 |
A |
4.00 |
| 80-84 |
A- |
3.67 |
| 76-79 |
B+ |
3.33 |
| 72-75 |
B |
3.00 |
| 68-71 |
B- |
2.67 |
| 64-67 |
C+ |
2.33 |
| 60-63 |
C |
2.00 |
| 55-59 |
C- |
1.67 |
| 50-54 |
P |
1.00 |
| 0-49 |
F |
0.00 |
| |
DNW |
0.00 |
Competency-based Grades
This grading system is based on satisfactory acquisition of defined skills or successful completion of the course learning outcomes. It is used where standard numerical grades are not generally applied, for example in evaluating practicum performance or work placements, in pass/fail courses or for non-credit courses.
| Grade |
Description |
| AAV |
ABOVE AVERAGE -The student has mastered all or most course objectives/requirements in a minimum time frame and has exemplified good work and study habits. |
| COM |
COMPLETE – denotes that the student has mastered a satisfactory number of course objectives/requirements in a non-credit course |
| CRG |
CREDIT GRANTED - denotes that the student performance was satisfactory in a credit course. |
| NCG |
NO CREDIT GRANTED - denotes that the student performance was unsatisfactory. |
| PCG |
PARTIAL CREDIT GRANTED – denotes that the student has successfully completed a portion of the course objectives in a credit course. |
See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.
Disclaimer
Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.