NUR304 - Pharmacology/Math

Outline information
Semester
Schools offering this subject
Last revision date 2023-10-02 00:04:13.136
Last review date 2023-12-04 00:15:00.761

Subject Title
Pharmacology/Math

Subject Description
Examines pharmacological concepts and nursing practices required to safely care for patients in need of pharmacological treatments. General principles of pharmacology, drugs actions at the physiological level, common drug classifications, pharmacotherapeutics, principles of medication preparation and administration including drug calculations, and related College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) standards of practice are studied. This course provides the student with the opportunity to develop calculation skills necessary for the safe administration of medications. Emphasis is on caring for patients on drug therapy, interactions of drugs, psycho/social aspects of drug use, legal control over drugs, and health teaching. This course builds on knowledge from previous courses, such as anatomy and physiology and pathophysiology to develop an understanding of the therapeutic and adverse effects of drugs on the body. Knowledge from clinical practice and medication administration practice in the nursing resource centre will be concurrent with this course. This course prepares the student for self-directed learning in relation to the individual medications prescribed for their patients and the implications for nursing practice.

Credit Status
3.00 units

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

Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
 
  1. Describe terms, concepts, and basic processes associated with drug therapy.
  2. Describe characteristics of major drug groups and selected individual drugs in terms of mechanism of action, indications for use, contraindications to use, expected therapeutic effects, common and serious adverse effects, accurate administration, and essential patient teaching.
  3. Identify cultural, legal, and ethical aspects of drug therapy.
  4. Accurately perform mathematical calculations such as fractions, proportions, ratios, decimal and metric conversions in preparation for medication administration.
  5. Demonstrate skillful application of nursing therapeutics that meet the current College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) Entry to Practice Competencies.

Program Level Goals (Year 2)

  1. Be accountable to the public and practice within the professional standards of nursing.
    1. Demonstrate accountability to the patient and responsibility for personal and professional development.
  2. Enhance health and healing through synthesizing knowledge from nursing and other disciplines in understanding the lived experience of patients.
    1. Enhance health and healing in providing safe and effective complex care for two or more individuals and or families with multiple health/self-care needs through applying knowledge from nursing and other disciplines while acknowledging the lived experiences of self and others to guide assessments, care, and health promotion.
  1. Participate in the ongoing transformation and humanization of health care by incorporating multiple ways of knowing, evidence-informed care, and critical-reflective practice.
    1. Demonstrate critical-reflective, patient-centred care in complex health situations and life transitions, using multiple ways of knowing and an evidence-informed approach in making practice decisions.
  2. Commit to excellence in professional practice through lifelong learning.
    1. Initiate personal and professional growth and development through critical and reflective thinking.
  3. Establish and maintain collaborative relationships within nursing, the interprofessional team, and the community.
    1. Participate in the interprofessional team to provide care for individuals, groups, and families.
  4. Demonstrate leadership for the advancement of the nursing profession in all domains of practice.
    1. Appreciate leadership in self and others when providing care to individuals and families.
  5. Advocate for and support healthy organizational and public policy to promote the health of individuals, families, groups, communities, and global populations.
    1. Advocate for individuals, families, and groups, recognizing contextual influences on persons’ lived experiences within the health care system.
  6. Provide culturally sensitive nursing care that honours human dignity, respects diversity, and embraces different ways of being.
    1. Demonstrate an appreciation for diversity while using a patient-centered approach in complex care situations.

Academic Integrity
Seneca upholds a learning community that values academic integrity, honesty, fairness, trust, respect, responsibility and courage. These values enhance Seneca's commitment to deliver high-quality education and teaching excellence, while supporting a positive learning environment. Ensure that you are aware of Seneca's Academic Integrity Policy which can be found at: http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academic-integrity-policy.html Review section 2 of the policy for details regarding approaches to supporting integrity. Section 2.3 and Appendix B of the policy describe various sanctions that can be applied, if there is suspected academic misconduct (e.g., contract cheating, cheating, falsification, impersonation or plagiarism).

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
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate the College Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance are available from the Student Conduct Office at student.conduct@senecapolytechnic.ca.

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The College will provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities in order to promote academic success. If you require accommodation, contact the Counselling and Accessibility Services Office at ext. 22900 to initiate the process for documenting, assessing and implementing your individual accommodation needs.

Camera Use and Recordings - Synchronous (Live) Classes
Synchronous (live) classes may be delivered in person, in a Flexible Learning space, or online through a Seneca web conferencing platform such as MS Teams or Zoom. Flexible Learning spaces are equipped with cameras, microphones, monitors and speakers that capture and stream instructor and student interactions, providing an in-person experience for students choosing to study online.

Students joining a live class online may be required to have a working camera in order to participate, or for certain activities (e.g. group work, assessments), and high-speed broadband access (e.g. Cable, DSL) is highly recommended. In the event students encounter circumstances that impact their ability to join the platform with their camera on, they should reach out to the professor to discuss. Live classes may be recorded and made available to students to support access to course content and promote student learning and success.

By attending live classes, students are consenting to the collection and use of their personal information for the purposes of administering the class and associated coursework. To learn more about Seneca's privacy practices, visit Privacy Notice.