Untitled document
Upon completion of this course students will be able to:
1. Describe drug mechanism of action, receptors, principles of drug
action and special considerations as pertains to the older adult,
pediatrics and childbearing patients.
2. Discuss variables that influence pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic
principles of drug action.
3. Describe functions of components of the central nervous system and
common neurotransmitter substances.
4. Implement a plan of care for individuals who require the
administration of opioid analgesics, opioid antagonists and
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
5. Identify characteristics of commonly used benzodiazepines,
barbiturates, anti-anxiety and sedative-hypnotic agents.
6. Identify major anticonvulsant drug classifications, including
examples of drugs and their primary method of seizure control as well
as the common adverse reactions.
7. Differentiate between antidepressant drugs: tricyclic
antidepressants, second-generation agents, monoamine oxidase
inhibitors, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and miscellaneous
agents, with the corresponding side effect profile.
8. Provide examples of cardiovascular agents including mechanism of
action, dosage and common side effects for the cardiac glycosides,
antidysrhythmics, antihypertensives, antianginals, anticoagulants,
and hyperlipidemic agents.
9. Discuss the use of cromoyln, sympathetic agonists, ipratropium,
leukotriene antagonists, xanthine derivatives, and corticosteroid
agents in the treatment of respiratory diseases.
10. Compare different antimicrobial therapeutic classifications and
understand their mechanism of actions and side effects.
Untitled document
1. Principles of drug action/side effects, adverse reactions.
2. Pharmacokinetics, dynamics in older adults, & pediatrics, maternal
patients and special considerations.
3. Central Nervous System analgesics
4. Antianxiety, sedatives/hypnotics, psychotrophic agents
5. Anticonvulsants
6. Cardiovascular system, congestive heart failure, cardiac glycosides,
and antihyperlipidemic
7. Antidysrhythmics
8. Diuretics, antihypertensives
9. Vasodilators, antihemorrheologic drugs
10. Blood, anticoagulants
11. Respiratory system, bronchodilators, antiasthmatics
12. Anti-infective drugs
Untitled document
Pharmacology in Nursing, McKenry, L. et al (2005) Mosby.
Instructor prepared materials
National Council of State Boards of Nursing Examination website