IEN101 - Pharmacology

Outline information
Semester
Schools offering this subject
Last revision date 2025-05-26 01:20:57.394
Last review date 2025-07-14 00:15:01.871

Subject Title
Pharmacology

Subject Description
In this course, you will learn about basic pharmacology and the standards of medication administration. Topics will include administration of medications; legislation pertaining to drug administration; quality improvement; risk management, drug calculations, classifications, uses, mechanism of actions, side-effects and adverse effects of drugs. An emphasis is placed on the study of drugs and their action in the human body related to the nursing practice with a focus on Registered Nurse (RN) roles/responsibilities for you to develop critical thinking and critical inquiry for safe administration of medication. The lens of professional accountability will be used as a foundation for you to apply concepts such as harmful incidences, and near misses potentially affecting client safety. Using client care scenarios, you will be guided to apply pharmacology knowledge in nursing practice decisions.

Credit Status
One

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:

Learning Outcome Learning Objectives CNO Role, Gap Reconciliation
1. Examine the role of the nurse and the health care team and integrates evidence-informed practice as it relates to safe medication practices
  • Collaborates in the development, implementation and evaluation of system approaches that support safe medication practices within the health care team.
  • Introduces self to clients and healthcare team and engages in active listening to understand and respond to the client’s experiences, preferences and health goals.
  • Identifies own professional role and role of the health care team and demonstrates collaborative professional relationships
 Communicator Collaborator
 
3.1
3.2
4.1
4.3
2. Identifies legal/regulatory and ethical issues related to safe medication practices.
  • Takes appropriate action to resolve or minimize the risk of harm to a client from a medication error, near misses or adverse reaction in a timely manner
  • Demonstrates the correct measures to ensure the prevention of medication errors.
  • Demonstrates accountability and seeks assistance as necessary for
 Professional Coordinator Leader
 
2.1
2.9
2.11
2.13
5.1
 

  decisions and actions
  • Seeks clarification about unclear orders, actions or treatment
  • Explains the ethical and legal standards for drug administration.
  • Integrates continuous quality improvement principles into nursing practice
  • Describe the professional responsibility and standards of practice for the registered nurse as related to the medication administration process.
  • Apply assessment skills to determine the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy in clients.
  • Adheres to the self-regulatory requirements by assessing own practice to identify learning needs
 5.2
6.2
3. Apply practice standards pertaining to medication administration, drug handling and documentation that meet the CNO Entry to Practice Competencies and incorporates health teaching in the client’s plan of care.
  • Applies the “rights” of safe medication
administration
  • Collaborates with the client in making decisions about the plan of care in relation to medication practices
  • Assess the appropriateness of the medication practice by considering the client, the medication and the environment
  • Provides client education, assesses adherence and evaluates health teaching
  • Identifies the implications of client's cultural health beliefs and practices on drug monitoring and client adherence
  • Advocates for client’s rights and
ensures informed consent
  • Demonstrates evidence to apply best practices in medication administration.
  • Describe the uses, actions and side effects of common medications.
 Educator Scholar
 
8.1
8.4
9.1
9.2
9.3
4. Apply theoretical knowledge of pain pathways, perception and management.
  • Identifies theories of pain perception and control
  • Summarizes common analgesia, narcotics and anti-inflammatory (non- steroidal) used for pain management
  • Provides comfort through pharmacological and non-
 Clinician Advocate
 
1.7
1.12
1.16
1.18
1.19
 

  pharmacological interventions,
  • Identifies the principles of harm reduction with respect to substance use and misuse.
  • Promote and/or implement strategies to minimize the risk of misuse and drug diversion and anticipates actual and potential risks.
  • Provides recovery-oriented care and health promotion to clients who experience a mental health condition and/or addiction
 1.20
7.1
 
5. Apply knowledge about selected medication classifications as a framework for understanding the therapeutic effects of medications commonly used in nursing care across the lifespan		  
  • Apply pharmacotherapeutic problem solving for common acute and chronic health problems across systems including drug administration and monitoring for therapeutic responses
  • Identify major classifications of pharmacotherapeutics as used in the treatment of commonly occurring health challenges.
  • Identifies pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of medication distribution in the body.
  • Summarize characteristics of major groups and selected individual medications in terms of the following: mechanism(s) of action; drug effects; therapeutic uses; side effects, contraindications and adverse effects; toxicity and management of overdoses; interactions; and nursing responsibilities related to administration, monitoring, and teaching.
  • Assess and evaluate influences of medications on body systems using the nursing process.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the differences among and the nursing implications related to over-the- counter (OTC) medications, natural products, and prescribed medication
  
 
Clinician
6. Use principles of biology and math in relation to pharmacology.
  • Explain the physiological effects of various medications on selected body systems.
  • Describe differences in physiology and pathophysiology that must be
 Clinician
 

  considered in assessing correct dosages administered to populations such as the fetus, infant, child, pregnant woman, and the frail elderly.
  • Identify potential drug-drug interactions and drug-food interactions based on physiologic responses to pharmacological agents and apply critical thinking skills for appropriate intervention.
  • Explain the effects of race, gender and, ethnicity on safe medication practices.
  • Demonstrate competency in performing clinical drug and dosage calculations.
  

Academic Integrity
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Please visit the Academic Integrity website http://open2.senecac.on.ca/sites/academic-integrity/for-students to understand and learn more about how to prepare and submit work so that it supports academic integrity, and to avoid academic misconduct.

Discrimination/Harassment
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Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
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