NURS 2420 - Pharmacology and the Role of the Professional Nurse

Credits: 3
Hours/Week: Lecture 3
Course Description: This course instructs students how to provide safe and effective pharmaceutical-related care through the application of systematic problem solving and clinical judgement to persons across the lifespan. The course presents a framework for learning pharmacotherapeutics including pharmaceutical research and regulation, quality and safety, major drug classifications, and clinical management.
MnTC Goals
none

Prerequisite(s): NURS 2300 , NURS 2310 , and NURS 2320 ; BIOL 2031  and COMM 1031  or COMM 1041  or COMM 1051  with grades of C or higher

OR

For mobility track: NURS 2320 and NURS 2350; BIOL 2031  and COMM 1031  or COMM 1041  or COMM 1051  with grades of C or higher
Corequisite(s): NURS 2400  and NURS 2410  
Recommendation: Completion of BIOL 2032  or concurrently enrolled; math, writing, reading, and study skills. 

Major Content
 

1. Professional Nursing related to Pharmacology and the Role of the Professional Nurse
   1. Attributes and Roles
      1. Professionalism
      2. Clinical Judgement
      3. Leadership
      4. Ethical/Legal
      5. Nurse as Health Promoter
      6. Nurse as Teacher/Learner
   2. Care Competencies
      1. Communication
      2. Collaboration/ Teamwork
      3. Quality and Safety
      4. Evidence-based Practice
      5. Technology and Informatics
   3. Health Care Delivery
      1. Care Coordination/ management of care
2. Health and Illness related to Pharmacology and the Role of the Professional Nurse
   1. Physiologic Adaptations
      1. Oxygenation and Homeostasis
         1. Perfusion
         2. Gas Exchange
         3. Clotting
      2. Protection and Movement
         1. Immunity
         2. Inflammation
         3. Mobility
         4. Tissue Integrity
      3. Regulation
         1. Cellular Regulation
         2. Thermoregulation
         3. Glucose Regulation
         4. Metabolism
         5. Intracranial Regulation
         6. Acid-Base Balance
         7. Fluid and Electrolyte Balance
         8. Nutrition
         9. Elimination
      4. Reproduction/Sexual Health
   2. Psychological Adaptations
      1. Behavioral Health
      2. Cognition
      3. Coping and Stress
      4. Grief and Loss
      5. Resiliency
3. Determinants of Health and Person-Centered Care (Individual, Family, Community) related to Pharmacology and the Role of the Professional Nurse
   1. Life Span and Development
   2. Functional Ability
   3. Culture
   4. Spirituality
   5. Determinants of Health
      1. Health Disparities
      2. Social Justice
      3. Social & Economic Factors
      4. Genetics
      5. Nutrition
      6. Environment
      7. Motivation
      8. Adherence

1. apply knowledge of pharmacotherapeutics related to medication administration, safety and efficacy.
2. identify the roles of the professional nurse as part of the interdisciplinary team in relation to medication administration. 
3. use clinical judgment to guide safe medication administration.
4. use evidence-based resources to access pertinent information about pharmaceuticals. 
5. explain the cultural and ethical aspects of pharmacology. 
6. explain the process of pharmaceutical approval and regulation. 

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