Nursing Pharmacology

This course provides students with an overview of pharmacology with an emphasis on clinical applications within the context of the nursing process and prioritization of needs; with special consideration given to the physiological, psycho/social, cultural, and spiritual needs of patients. The course explores indications, modes of action, effects, contraindications and interactions for selected drugs; and including pharmacotherapy in the planning/concept mapping of patient care. Specific nursing responsibilities related to drug administration are emphasized. This course also includes the study of the principles of medical word building to help the student develop an extensive medical vocabulary. Students receive a thorough grounding in basic medical terminology and drug names and classifications through a study of root words, prefixes and suffixes.