NURSING 2010 - Pharmacology in Nursing II

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2024

Pharmacology for Nursing II extends the core pharmacological principles presented in Pharmacology for Nursing 1. This course examines the nurses' role in the administration of more complex drugs and more sophisticated routes of administration. The application of drug therapy to a broad range of clinical presentations with emphasis on respiratory and cardiovascular disease complements other courses within the Bachelor of Nursing program. An emphasis on safe administration of IV and IM medications is made. Students will have an opportunity to consider the role of complementary therapy and learn of the nature of drug addiction.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code NURSING 2010
    Course Pharmacology in Nursing II
    Coordinating Unit Medical Sciences
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites NURSING 1009
    Restrictions Bachelor of Nursing
    Assessment Mid-Semester test, online quizzes, end of semester exam
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Abdallah Salem


    School contact:
    Phone: +61 8313 3595
    Email: nursing@adelaide.edu.au
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Understand the role of drug therapy in respiratory and cardiac disorders
    2
    Relate the actions (therapeutic/adverse) of analgesic (pain) medications to different patient presentations on the understanding that pain is subjective
    3 Show the contribution of drug treatment for common mental health disorders and drug abuse/addiction
    4 Show the contribution of drug therapy to the treatment of endocrine disorders
    5 Understand how medications can alter reproduction
    6 Show the contribution of drug therapy to the treatment of common gastrointestinal disorders
    7 Understand the actions of commonly prescribed antimicrobial drugs used to treat infections and the harmful effects of antibiotics to society
    8 Understand the common ways that drugs can cause harm to body systems and understand the general approach to poisoning
    9 Show the contribution of drug therapy to the treatment of cancers
    10 Identify the role of complementary therapies in society
    11 Understand the role of anaesthesia in clinical and theatre environments
    12 Understand the role and contribution of nurses to better drug treatments
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1-12

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1-12

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    1-12
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Australian Medicines Handbook 2024, online version available via Barr Smith Library catalogue.


    Recommended Resources
    Bullock S and Manias E, 2016  Fundamentals of Pharmacology, 9th Ed. Pearson Australia.
    ISBN   9781488610028


    Online Learning
    ASSESSMENT 1: Online Quiz - assessment 1Online assessment 1: introduces students to the online format for future assessments (MCQs).

    ASSESSMENT 2: Online quizzes 2-3Online assessment 2-3: Online quizzes (MCQs) encourage engagement with the
    material presented in lectures and support the development of knowledge required for clinical placement.

    ASSESSMENT 3: Drug Profile Assignment - students assigned to one of 7 prescribed medications used in the treatment of common diseases/disorders. Comprises 14 MCQs and 2 SAQs and designed to introduce students to clinically and nursing important  therapeutic aspects of medications that studnts may come across in their placements.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Face to face lectures – Face to face lectures offer synchronous learning opportunities and enable students to quickly clarify complex descriptions and terminology. Content for this course is supported by textbooks with e-learning supports. 
    Onelines Lectures: offer learning opportunities on aspects of certain therapeutic medications and opportunities for students to clarify complex descriptions and terminologies online.
    Tutorial sessions – Each tutorial session will focus on the lecture content for the week or preceding academic week. 

    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    • 2 x 1 hour face-to-face lecture per week
    • 2 x1 hour hour online lectures per week

    • 1 x 1 hour tutorial  per week

    Non-contact hours for assessment and tutorial preparation will be approximately 6 hours per week
    Learning Activities Summary

    Lectures

    Tutorials

    1.

    Introduction to Pharmacology in Nursing II

     

    2.

    Overview of year 1 pharmacology

    Overview of year 1 pharmacology
    Respiratory Pharmacology

    3.

    Respiratory Pharmacology I

    4.

    Respiratory Pharmacology II

    5.

    Pharmacology and Pain I

    Pharmacology and Pain

    6.

    Pharmacology and Pain II

    7.

    CNS and pharmacoology I

    8.

    CNS and pharmacology II- Antidepressants, antipsychotics

    CNS and pharmacology

    9.

    Clinical use of Drugs for Cardiovascular Diseases I

    Drug Abuse and Addiction

    10.

    Clinical use of Drugs for Cardiovascular Diseases II

     

    11.

    Understanding alcohol and tobacco addiction and their treatments I

     

    12.

    Understanding alcohol and tobacco addiction and their treatments  II 

     

    13.

    Understanding stimulant addiction

     Endocrine pharmacology and clinical use of drugs for dabetes/ gastrointestinal pharmacology

    14.

    Endocrine pharmacology I: Clinical Use of drugs for Diabetes 

     Medical oncology / drug toxicology

    15.

    Endocrine pharmacology II: Clinical Use of drugs for Diabetes 

     

    16.

    Reproductive pharmacology

     

    17.

    Gastrointestinal pharmacology

     

    18.

    Drug Toxicology

    Complementary therapies / drug toxicology 

    19.

    General approach to poisonong

    20.

    Medical Oncology

    21.

    Complementary Therapies

    22.

    Antibiotics, Antivirals, Antifungals

    23. 

    Principles of Local and General Anaesthesia

     

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Assessment Type Weighting Learning Outcome(s) being addressed
    Online Quiz Formative N/A 1-12
    Online quizzes x 2 Summative 10% each (20% total) 1-12
    Mid-semester test Summative 25% 1-12
    Drug Profile assignment Summative 20% 1-12
    Exam Summative 35% 1-12
    Assessment Detail
    ASSESSMENT 1: Online Quiz - assessment 1
    Online assessment 1: introduces students to the online format for future assessments (MCQs).

    ASSESSMENT 2: Online quizzes 2-3
    Online assessment 2-3: Online quizzes (MCQs) encourage engagement with the material presented in lectures and support the development of knowledge required for clinical placement.

    ASSESSMENT 3: Mid-semester test
    Mid semester test, online: Conducted in the middle of the course to give feedback. This test will confirm the retention of particular aspects of pharmacology and therapeutics and will encourage students to consider extended application of pharmacology concepts to ‘real’ life clinical situations.

    ASSESSMENT 4:  Drug Profile assignemnt
    This online exercise requires you to conduct library-based research examining major drug classes and their use in the treatment of major human diseases. Each student will be assigned one major drug class and one major human disease and complete an online assignment.

    ASSESSMENT 5: Exam

    Assessment of range of semester content
    Submission
    Students MUST keep an electronic copy of all assignments submitted. Extension requests must be made before the due date of the assignment. In principle, all assignments should be submitted by the due date. Late submission without an approved extension will be penalised at the rate of 5% of available marks for each working day after the due date. Work submitted more than ten days after the due date may be returned unmarked. This action will be taken to prevent students who do get their work in on time being disadvantaged.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

    Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (eSELT) feedback
    Report for NURSING 2010 Pharmacology in Nursing II
    Project Audience 244
    Responses Received 53
    Response Ratio 22%

    On behalf of the teaching team, we are grateful to all students who completed the SELT for this course in 2023.
    This course achieved 83% Broad agreement for the University expectation standard for the mandatory Q1 (i.e. Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of this course) which is used as an indicator of course quality.

    This course helps me to build my understanding of key concepts: 6% (undecided or lower); 94% (agree/strongly agree) 
    Overall, this course is intellectually stimulating: 14% (undecided or lower); 86% (agree/strongly agree) 
    This course includes digital activities and resources that help me learn: 14% (undecided or lower); 86% (agree/strongly agree) 
    In this course I receive useful and timely feedback on my work: 16% (undecided or lower); 84% (agree/strongly agree) 
    The assessment tasks in this course help me learn: 12% (undecided or lower); 88% (agree/strongly agree) 
    In this course diverse perspectives are valued and difference is accommodated: 4% (undecided or lower); 96% (agree/strongly agree) 
    This course is well organised: 20% (undecided or lower); 80% (agree/strongly agree) 
    How much effort have you put into this course? 50% (extremely high & high) 
    Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of this course: 17% (undecided or lower); 83% (agree/strongly agree

    Summary of student responses related to: What are the best aspects of this course?
    Good learning. Good topics.Tutorials, drug profile assignment and revision notes are very helpful.Face to face lectures and tutorial were helpful in engaging with other students and teachers, making it easier to ask questions and understand concepts more in depth, Well organised and put together The exam revision and practice questions to help study the content. The consistent layout is helpful and it is good that in person lectures are coming back. Good variety of knowledgeable teachers in this course. Each week has a compact page of notes from the lectures which helps with exam study;the Drug Profile assignment- it is such a great way to put theory into practice. 

    Summary of student responses related to: Which aspects of this course need improvement?
    Some concepts discussed are far too in depth for the knowledge we need to know and because of that the important information tends to get the lost.  Course is poorly structured and doesn’t provide students with enough support.  The lectures also tend to not have learning objectives at the start which makes it extremely difficult when studying. Absolutely overwhelmed with the amount I needed to know for this exam. Too much talking in some lectures, it’s easy to get lost or distracted.  The content is too much to learn in seven weeks and the number of lectures in the final exam is very high. 

    How we are going to address these concerns in 2024?
    Course Coordinator Response
    All lectures have been drastically revised to be more clinical nurse relevant and overseen by staff health professsionals;  only drugs commonly used are mentioned - better integration with other year 1 & 2 nursing subjects;  assessmenats more relevant and understandable. Greater focus on therapeutics.


  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
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