No.

of Intended Learning Outcome Topic

Hours
Week 1 After completion of the course the student will be able to familiarize Introduction to Pharmacology
Day 1 themselves with the policy, requirements of the course and acquainted with
the instructor.
3 hours
Week 2 After discussion and activities on this topic, the student should be able to:  Drug Classes and
1. Explain the interdisciplinary nature of pharmacology, giving an Schedules
3 hours example of how knowledge from different sciences impacts the  Principles of Drug
nurse’s role in drug administration. Administration
2. Explain the basis for placing drugs into therapeutic and
pharmacologic classes.
3. Discuss the prototype approach to drug classification.
4. Describe what is meant by a drug’s mechanism of action.
5. Explain the differences between brand-name drugs and their generic
equivalents.
6. Explain the meaning of a controlled substance and teratogenic risk in
pregnancy.
7. Discuss drug administration as a component of safe, effective nursing
care, using the nursing process.
8. Describe the roles and responsibilities of nurses regarding safe drug
administration.
9. Explain the advantages, disadvantages and proper methods of
administering enteral, topical, and parenteral drugs.
Week 3 1. Explain the applications of pharmacokinetics to clinical practice.  Pharmacokinetics
Identify the four components of pharmacokinetics.  Pharmacodynamics
3 hours 2. Discuss factors affecting drug absorption.
3. Explain the metabolism of drugs and its applications to
pharmacotherapy.
4. Identify major processes by which drugs are excreted.
5. Explain the applications of a drug’s onset, peak, and plasma half-life
(t½) to duration of pharmacotherapy.
6. Differentiate between loading and maintenance doses.
7. Explain the applications of pharmacodynamics to nursing practice.

Weeks After discussion and activities on this topic, the student should be able to: Chemotherapeutic agents
4 and 5  Antibiotics Affecting the
1. Explain the mechanisms by which pathogens infect the body. Bacterial Cell Wall
6 hours 2. Explain the mechanisms by which anti-infective drugs act to kill  Antibiotics Affecting
pathogens or restrict their growth. Bacterial Protein
3. Describe the clinical significance of bacterial resistance. Synthesis
4. Describe the clinical rationale for selecting specific antibiotics.  Fluoroquinolones and
5. Identify the role of the nurse in preventing, identifying, and treating Miscellaneous
adverse effects due to antibiotic therapy. Antibacterials
6. Explain how the patient’s immune status, history of allergic reactions,  Sulfonamides and the
age, pregnancy status, genetics, or local tissue conditions influence Pharmacotherapy of
 anti-infective pharmacotherapy. Urinary Tract Infections
7. Apply the nursing process to care for patients who are receiving  Pharmacotherapy of
pharmacotherapy with bacterial cell wall inhibitors, bacterial protein Mycobacterial Infections
synthesis inhibitors, fluoroquinolones and miscellaneous  Pharmacotherapy of
antibacterials. mycobacterial infections, fungal infections, protozoan Fungal Infections
and helminthic infections, viral infections.  Pharmacotherapy of
8. For each of the classes shown in the chapter outline, identify the Protozoan and Helminthic
prototype and representative drugs and explain the mechanism(s) of Infections
drug action, primary indications, contraindications, significant drug  Pharmacotherapy of Non-
interactions, pregnancy category, and important adverse effects. HIV Viral Infections
 Pharmacotherapy of HIV-
AIDS
 Basic Principles of
Antineoplastic Therapy
Week 6 1. Describe the components of the nonspecific body defense system Immune System
and their functions. Compare and contrast specific and nonspecific  Pharmacotherapy of
3 hours body defenses. Inflammation and Fever
2. Compare and contrast the therapeutic applications of the two classes  Immunostimulants and
of immunomodulators. Immunosuppressants
3. Apply the nursing process to care for patients receiving immunizing  Immunizing Agents
agents, pharmacotherapy for fever or inflammation, immunostimulants
and immunosuppressants.
4. For each of the classes shown in the chapter outline, identify the
prototype and representative drugs and explain the mechanism(s) of
drug action, primary indications, contraindications, significant drug
interactions, pregnancy category, and important adverse effects.
5. For each of the major vaccines and patient age groups, identify the
schedule for the recommended dosage sequence established by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Week 7 1. Distinguish between the functions of the central and peripheral The Nervous System
and 8 nervous systems.  Drugs Affecting the
2. Compare and contrast the actions of the sympathetic and Autonomic Nervous
3 hours parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system. System
3. Identify the physiological responses produced when a drug activates  Review of
cholinergic receptors, a drug blocks cholinergic receptors, a drug Neurotransmitters
activates adrenergic receptors, a drug blocks adrenergic receptors.  Cholinergic Agonists
4. Identify the classes of drugs used for minor, moderate, and severe  Cholinergic Antagonists
pain.  Adrenergic Agonists
5. Compare and contrast the actions of opioid agonists, mixed opioid  Adrenergic Antagonists
agonists-antagonists, and opioid antagonists.
 Drugs for the Control of
6. Describe the advantages of combining opioid, nonopioid, and
Pain
adjuvant analgesics in the treatment of pain.
 Drugs for Local and
7. Compare and contrast the four basic types of anesthesia.
General Anesthesia
8. Compare and contrast the four stages of general anesthesia.
9. Identify drug classes used to produce general anesthesia.  Drugs for Degenerative
10. For each of the classes shown in the chapter outline, identify the Diseases of the Nervous
prototype and representative drugs and explain the mechanism(s) of System
drug action, primary indications, contraindications, significant drug  Drugs for Neuromuscular
 interactions, pregnancy category, and important adverse effects. Disorders
11. Apply the nursing process to care for patients receiving
pharmacotherapy in concern with the nervous system.
Week 9
MIDTERM EXAMINATION
3 hours
Week 1. Identify sleep disorders that may benefit from pharmacotherapy.  Drugs for Anxiety and
10 2. Describe the nurse’s role in the pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic Insomnia
management of mood disorders.  Drugs for Seizures
3 hours 3. Explain the importance of patient drug adherence in the  Drugs for Emotional,
pharmacotherapy of psychoses. Mood, and Behavioral
4. Explain how antipsychotic drugs are classified. Disorders
5. Discuss the rationale for selecting a specific antipsychotic drug for the  Drugs for Psychoses
treatment of schizophrenia.
6. Describe the nurse’s role in the pharmacologic management of
Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
7. Discuss the pharmacologic goals for the management of Parkinson’s
disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders.
8. Identify drug classes used to treat muscle spasms and spasticity.
9. Compare and contrast the actions of the centrally acting and direct-
acting skeletal muscle relaxants.
10. Explain the role of skeletal muscle relaxants as surgical adjuncts.
Week 1. Explain the pharmacotherapy of growth hormone Endocrine System
11-12 disorders in children and adults.  Hypothalamic and
2. Explain the pharmacotherapy of antidiuretic Pituitary Drugs
3 hours hormone disorders.  Pharmacotherapy of
3. Explain the pharmacotherapy of thyroid disorders. Diabetes Mellitus
4. Explain the pharmacotherapy of adrenal gland  Pharmacotherapy of
disorders. Thyroid Disorders
5. Compare and contrast types of insulin.  Corticosteroids and Drugs
6. Describe the signs and symptoms of insulin Affecting the Adrenal
overdose and underdose. Cortex
7. Describe the role of drug therapy in the treatment  Estrogens, Progestins,
of menopausal and postmenopausal symptoms. and Drugs Modifying
8. Identify the role of the female sex hormones in Uterine Function
the treatment of cancer.  Drugs for Modifying
9. Explain how drug therapy may be used to treat Conception
female infertility.  Drugs for Disorders and
10. Identify indications for pharmacotherapy with Conditions of the Male
androgens. Reproductive
11. Describe the etiology, pathogenesis, and  System
pharmacotherapy of erectile dysfunction.
12. Explain the role of medications in the endocrine
system
13. For each of the classes listed, know representative
drugs, and explain the mechanism of drug action,
primary actions, and important adverse effects.
14. Use the nursing process to care for patients who
are receiving drug therapy for disorders and
conditions of the endocrine system
Week After discussion and activities on this topic, the student should be able to: Cardiovascular System
13-14 1. Differentiate between drug classes used for the  Drugs for Hypertension
primary treatment of hypertension and those  Drugs for Lipid Disorders
6 hours secondary agents reserved for persistent  Drugs for Heart Failure
hypertension.  Drugs for Angina Pectoris
2. Describe the nurse’s role in the pharmacologic and Myocardial Infarction
management of heart failure.  Drugs for Dysrhythmias
3. Explain mechanisms of drugs used to manage  Drugs for Coagulation
angina. Disorders
4. Identify the classes of drugs used to manage  Drugs for Hematopoietic
angina. Disorders
5. Identify classes of drugs that are given to treat
the symptoms and complications of myocardial
infarction.
6. Identify the general mechanisms of action of
antidysrhythmic drugs.
7. Identify the primary mechanisms by which
coagulation modifier drugs act
8. Identify the role of intrinsic factor in the
absorption of vitamin B12.
9. Describe the nurse’s role in the pharmacologic
management of cardiovascular disorders and
conditions.
10. For each of the drug classes listed, know
representative drugs, and explain their
mechanism of drug action, primary actions, and
important adverse effects.
11. Use the nursing process to care for patients who
are receiving drug therapy for cardiovascular
disorders and conditions.
Week 1. Describe the adjustments in pharmacotherapy Renal System
15 that must be considered in patients with renal  Drugs Affecting the Renin-
failure. Angiotensin-Aldosterone
3 hours 2. Identify indications for diuretics. System
3. Describe the general adverse effects of diuretic  Diuretic Therapy and the
pharmacotherapy. Pharmacotherapy of
4. Compare and contrast the loop, thiazide, and Renal Failure
potassium-sparing diuretics.  Pharmacotherapy of Fluid
5. Compare and contrast the use of colloids and Imbalance, Electrolyte,
crystalloids in intravenous therapy. and Acid-Base Disorders
6. Explain the pharmacotherapy of sodium and
potassium imbalances.
7. Describe the nurse’s role in the pharmacologic
management of fluid balance, electrolyte, and
acid–base disorders.
8. For each of the drugs listed, know representative
drugs, and explain the mechanism of drug action,
primary actions, and important adverse effects.
9. Use the nursing process to care for patients who
are receiving drug therapy for fluid balance,
electrolyte, and acid–base disorders.
Week 1. Compare and contrast the oral and intranasal Respiratory system
16 decongestants.  Drugs for Allergic Rhinitis
2. Discuss the pharmacotherapy of cough. and the Common Cold
3 hours 3. Describe the role of expectorants and mucolytics  Drugs for Asthma and
 in treating bronchial congestion. Other Pulmonary
4. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of Disorders
using the inhalation route of administration for
pulmonary drugs.
5. Describe the types of devices used to deliver
aerosol therapies via the inhalation route.
6. Compare and contrast the pharmacotherapy of
acute and chronic asthma.
7. Describe the nurse’s role in the pharmacologic
treatment of lower respiratory tract disorders.
8. For each of the drug classes listed, know
representative drugs, and explain their
mechanism of drug action, primary actions on the
respiratory system, and important adverse
effects.
9. Use the nursing process to care for patients who
are receiving pharmacotherapy for respiratory
disorders.
Week 1. Describe treatment goals for the Gastrointestinal system
17 pharmacotherapy of gastroesophageal reflux  Drugs for Peptic Ulcer
disease. Disease
3 2. Identify the classification of drugs used to treat  Drugs for Bowel Disorders
peptic ulcer disease. and Other Gastrointestinal
3. Explain the pathophysiology and Conditions
pharmacotherapy of constipation.  Drugs for Nutritional
4. Explain the pathophysiology and Disorders
pharmacotherapy of diarrhea.
5. Compare and contrast the pharmacotherapy of
inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel
syndrome.
6. Describe the nurse’s role in the pharmacologic
management of bowel disorders, nausea and
vomiting, and other GI conditions.
7. Identify indications for vitamin pharmacotherapy.
8. Describe the types of drugs used in the short-term
management of obesity.
9. For each of the drug classes listed, know
representative drugs, and explain the mechanism
of drug action, describe primary actions, and
identify important adverse effecs.
10. Use the nursing process to care for patients who
are receiving drugs for GI disorders.