Basic Pharmacology

This is a self-paced, fully online continuing education course.

The purpose of this course is to provide pharmacology basics for medical conditions, the medication treatments for those conditions, and the physiologic actions of the medications administered. This course is designed for advanced nurse clinicians and nurse generalists to meet the state requirements for advanced nursing practice, and for nurse generalists that practice in any setting where medications are administered to patients.

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Express understanding of pharmacology basics and pharmaco-therapeutic actions.
2. Relate medication actions, reactions, and adverse reactions.
3. Report the types of terrorism attacks and appropriate actions to use.
4. Recognize alternative therapies that could be used for patients.

Curriculum

Chapter 1: Introduction

• Pharmacology Foundational Basics
• Nursing Practice and Pharmacology Administration
• Regulations, Policies, Development, and Control of Medications
• Schedule and Classifications of Medications
• List of Common Abbreviations

Chapter 2: Basic Principles

• Pharmacokinetics
• Pharmacodynamics
• Drug Interactions
• Adverse Interactions/Medication Errors
• Individual Medication Responses

Chapter 3: Medications Across the Life Span

• Pediatric Meds
• Meds During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
• Geriatric Meds and Considerations

Chapter 4: Immunizations

• Pediatrics
• Adult
• Geriatrics

Chapter 5: Alternative Therapies

• Herbal Remedies
• Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications

Chapter 6: Other Considerations

• Poisoning and Management
• Substances of Biologic, Radiologic, and Chemical Terrorism
• Prototype Medications and Usage

Chapter 7: Case Scenarios