KILGORE COLLEGE ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAM RNSG 1301 SYLLABUS PHARMACOLOGY David Adamson, MSN, RN
COURSE SYLLABUS RNSG 1301: Pharmacology RNSG 1301 Introduction in the science of pharmacology with emphasis on the actions, interactions, adverse effects, and nursing implications of each drug classification. Topics include the skills, roles, and responsibilities of the nurse in safe administration of medications within an ethical/legal framework. Dosage calculations and medications administration skills are practiced in a laboratory setting. Credit Value of Course: Three semester credit hours. Theory: 2 hours Laboratory: 3 hours Prerequisites: Admission to the Associate Degree Nursing Program. I. Instructor: David Adamson, MSN, RN Room 207B, Technical Vocational (903) 983-8634 dadamson@kilgore.edu Office Hours are posted on office door. II. Course Rationale: A large part of a nurse s activity and time are involved in administering medications. It is imperative that the nurse has the skills needed to safely administer this medication. This introduction to pharmacology is aimed at beginning the development of those skills and habits that will make the nurse a safe practitioner. III. Educational Materials: THE NURSE, THE MATH, THE MEDS (1st Edition), J. Mulholland, 2007, Mosby PHARMACOLOGY FOR NURSES (3rd Edition), Adams and Holland, 2011, Pearson STUDENT WORKBOOK AND RESOURCE GUIDE To Pharmacology for Nurses ONLINE COURSE RESOURCES Lecture Outlines - online. Additional Supplies from Lab Kit. CAI s, available in Pharmacology Lab in KC Library ProCalc Fungraphics
Videos: Medicating the patient: administering intramuscular, intradermal and subcutaneous injections (I, 615.6, M489t, 105707) Medications: administration and absorption: oral medication administration (1, 615.6, M489c, 107914 pt. 2) Medications: administration and absorption: administration and absorptions of topical medications (1, 615.6, M489 pt. 1, 107913) Medications: administration and absorption: administration and absorption of parenteral medications (1, 615.6, M489c,107915) IV. Evaluation: Lecture: There will be six (6) exams, Standardized HESI Test will count as an exam if results are higher than lowest exam grade and a comprehensive final examination (counted twice the value of a regular exam). See course outline. A seventh exam grade will be based on class participation and student presentations of case studies and prototype drugs from textbook. Lab: Activities Dosage calculations: Summary self-tests following each chapter must be completed, shown to the instructor then a written exam over the chapter will be taken. Other calculation exams will be required before giving medications in clinical and at the completion of the course. Drug calculations tests: Students will be given two attempts on a competency testing. The student must pass each competency with a grade of 80 or above. On the second attempt, a grade of no greater than 75 will be recorded. i CAI s and Internet assignments: See schedule to be handed out first day of class. Skills Check-off: Medication skills check-off must be completed successfully. A second attempt will be allowed if needed to pass. Skills will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis. Students are required to maintain satisfactory grades in both theory and laboratory in order to pass the course. An unsatisfactory grade in either theory or laboratory will result in an unsatisfactory graded for this course. Fifty percent (50%) of final grade will be based upon six lecture exams, standardized test, plus the final. Reading the material before lecture is necessary. Fifty percent (50%) of grade will be based upon laboratory exams and other activities. A passing
grade of 75% or more must be achieved in lecture and lab in order to pass the class. The grading system in RNSG 1301 is composed of theory exams, calculation tests, competency exams, computer activities and final exams. Grade equivalencies: A = 90-100 B = 80-89 C = 75-79 D = 70-74 F = Below 70 V. Classroom Policies A. Attendance: Attendance for exams is mandatory. All exams will be taken on the computer. In order to avoid distractions during the exam, no one will be admitted late unless prior permission is obtained from the instructor. If a student will be tardy and is given prior permission to enter late, no additional time will be given. Make-up exams may be given at the discretion of the instructor if prior arrangements have been made. Highest possible grade for a make-up exam is 75%. B. Posting of Grades: Grades for Lecture are posted on WebCT. C. Test Review: Individual tests reviews will not be available. Group test review may be scheduled other than during class time. Attendance is voluntary. D. Written Assignment: If written work is turned in after the assigned deadline, FIVE (5) points per day will be deducted from the earned grade. C. Drop Dates: According to Kilgore College policies. F. Academic Integrity: Students are expected to assume full responsibility for the content and integrity of all academic work submitted as homework and examinations. (Review Kilgore College Academic Dishonest Policy and Academic Integrity Policy for Kilgore College students in the Student Guide.) G. Disclaimer: Your instructor reserves the right to make modifications in content and schedule as necessary to promote the best education possible within prevailing conditions affecting this course. VI. Student Learning Outcomes A. Students will identify the roles and responsibilities of the nurse in administering pharmacological agents Activities: Text reading, class lectured and discussion.
Assessment: Exams (multiple choice) SCANS: (7) B. Students will utilize knowledge of pharmacology to demonstrate safe administration of medications, including nutritional aspects. Activities: Demonstration, skills practice, group participation in critical thinking exercises. Assessment: Check-off of skills, videos, medication calculation tests. SCANS: (2, 3, 5, 7) C. Students will demonstrate effective therapeutic communication skills in medication administration. Activities: Classroom discussion, skills, practice. Assessment: Skills demonstration. SCANS: (4, 6) D. Students will demonstrate proficiency in computer-aided instruction (CAI). Activities: Completion of assigned CAIs. Assessment: Completion of quizzes on CAIs assigned. ERI-standard exam. SCANS: (3, 8) E. Students will identify prototype drugs with their classification and major effects and side effects Activities: Completion of prototype. Assessments: Exams on drug groups, prototype drug sheets, check-off on med administration skills. SCANS: (7) VII. Laboratory Objectives A. Students will correctly calculate specified drug dosages. SCAN: (3) B. Students will interpret medication language in nursing practice. Activities: CAI, ProCalc, abbreviations and equivalents. Assessment: Test over abbreviations and equivalents on computer. SCAN: (1, 4) C. Students will identify basic legal and ethical requirements in medication administration. Activities: Discussion, Medication administration, practice. Assessment: Check-off on medication administration. SCAN: (4, 6, 7)
D. Students will be able to safely and competently administer oral, topical, rectal and parenteral medications safely and competently to children and adults. Activities: Demonstration, practice, CAIs on injection sites preventing medication errors. Assessments: Check-offs on medication administration. E. Students will be able to describe specified classic and commonly used medications as to dosage, therapeutic use, drug actions, untoward effects, and nursing implications. Activities: Preparation of drug cards, lecture on drug groups. Assessment: Chapter exams, reciting basic information from drug cards. F. Students will prepare and administer an SQ and IM injection according to the five rights of medications administration and record the procedure in an appropriate format. Activities: Demonstration, practice, CAIs on injection sites preventing medication errors. Assessments: Check-offs on medication administration. G. Students will set up and administer a solid or liquid oral medication according to the five right of medication administration and record the procedure in an appropriate format. Activities: Demonstration, practice, CAIs on injection sites preventing medication errors. Assessments: Check-offs on medication administration. H. Students will review blood sugar values and physician s order and administer a mixture of regular and long-acting insulins. Activities: Demonstration, practice. Assessments: Check-offs of skill. I. Students will convert among metric, apothecary and household systems of measurement. SCAN: (7) J. Student will accurately calculates the child s dose given the rule (formula) for a child s dose in square meters and the adult dose of drug.
SCAN: (3, 7) K. Student will correctly calculate macrodrip and midrodrip flow rates for primary and secondary IV fluids to the nearest whole number. SCAN: (3) L. Student will correctly calculate the hours that an intravenous infusion will run. SCAN: (3, 7) M. Student will correctly calculate the remaining time a hanging IV solution will take to complete. SCAN: (3, 7) N. Student will research a prescription medication from a list using selected Internet resources and list the drug s action, purpose, normal dosages and precautions and side effects. Activities: Write summary report on a medication. Assessment: Evaluate format, search and knowledge using a checklist. SCAN: (1, 2, 8) O. Student will submit a summary of an article form a current nursing journal (last 3 years) or Internet source using accepted standards and content as given using a word processor. +9 Activities: Write summary report on a medication. Assessment: Evaluate format, search and knowledge using a checklist. SCAN: (1, 2, 8) P. Student will participate I small group settings, use critical thinking skills to problem solve clinical scenarios. Activities: Small groups with scenarios from textbook; student guide Assessments: Observe participation. SCAN: (4, 5, 6, 7)