Course overview
This course will build on nurses understanding of drug use and administration. Drugs will be discussed according to their class of action. Students will learn how drugs are chosen for particular effects. The pharmacological principles of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, adverse effects, contraindications and precautions will be described using examples from different drug classes. The polypharmacy and the quality use of medicines will also be presented.
Course learning outcomes
- Outline the principles of pharmacology and describe the aspects which are important to all nurses
- Define and demonstrate a general understanding of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
- Discuss the nurses' role as it applies to the administration of drugs to patients
- Classify commonly administered medications in your particular area of practice
- Interpret the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, pharmaco-therapeutics, common adverse reactions, drug interactions of each major drug group
- Outline the various pieces of commonwealth and state legislation relating to the regulation, use and testing of drugs in Australia, especially the Therapeutic Goods Act and Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Acts and Regulations
- Describe the scheduling of drugs in Australia
- Analyse the sociocultural factors which impact on the administration of drugs to patients across the lifespan
- Critically examine medication errors and adverse drug reactions and drug-drug interactions