Apply basic pharmacology principles to medication management

• Discuss the processes of pharmacokinetics
• Use multiple professional resources including technology to identify pertinent drug information
• Describe the processes of pharmacodynamics
• Consider pharmacodynamic differences across the life span
• Support your analysis with relevant evidence
• Use correct medical terminology
• Differentiate among prescription drugs, over the counter drugs, herbals, and dietary supplements
• Describe the history of drugs and their sources
• Identify various drug routes and preparations
• Identify which drug forms should not be crushed or chewed
• Define pharmacology, pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
• Explain the nurse's role and responsibilities in pharmacotherapy
• Describe how the nursing process is applied to the administration of drugs
• Identify the five rights of drug administration
• Describe strategies to reduce medication errors
• Identify patient teaching to reduce medication errors and incidents
• Explain the importance of medication reconciliation
• Describe the importance of accurate drug calculation
• Calculate basic drug doses accurately (conversions, reconstitutions, IV rates)
• Summarize general principles of patient education
• Discuss the importance of patient education related to drug administration
• Identify the four processes of pharmacokinetics
• Discuss factors that affect drug absorption
• Describe factors affecting drug distribution
• Identify sites of drug metabolism
• Discuss factors that affect drug excretion
• Explain the actions of drug agonists and antagonists
• Compare and contrast advantages/disadvantages of each route
• Define indications, contraindications, adverse, side and untoward effects
• Explain enterohepatic recirculation (first pass effect)
• Explain onset, peak, half-life, duration
• Differentiate between loading and maintenance doses
• Discuss how a drug's therapeutic index relates to its margin of safety
• Understand impact of CYP450 enzymes on drug metabolism and effect
• Describe the goal of pharmacogenetics in drug therapy
• Discuss physiologic differences in neonates, children, pregnant women and the elderly

Examine legal, ethical, social, and cultural issues related to medication administration

• Support your analysis with relevant evidence
• Identify drug administration guidelines in State Nurse Practice Act
• Identify nursing responsibility to prevent/respond to medication errors
• Identify nursing responsibilities with controlled substances
• Identify ethical responsibilities related to medication errors
• Respond respectfully to patient’s rights and responsibilities
• Act within nursing scope for medication administration
• Demonstrate patient-centered care respecting gender, psychosocial, cultural needs
• Identify responsibilities for safe medication administration
• Identify responsibilities for patient medication education
• Differentiate chemical, generic, and trade drug names
• Identify three methods of drug classification
• Describe a drug's mechanism of action
• Differentiate prescription vs. non-prescription drugs
• Relate legislation’s significance to drug development and use
• Describe phases of new drug development
• Explain state practice acts and drug administration
• Explain the nurse’s role with controlled substances
• Identify five drug schedules and examples
• Discuss ethical issues in drug therapy
• Identify ANA Code of Ethics provisions
• Identify cultural beliefs’ influence on drug therapy
• List common reasons for drug non-compliance
• List accurate, peer-reviewed drug sources

Apply the nursing process to antimicrobial drugs

• Cite classifications and actions of antimicrobials
• Give examples of when, how, and to whom given
• Identify side effects and considerations
• Identify lifespan implications
• Apply evidence-based concepts
• Identify herbal supplement interactions
• Identify and interpret lab tests
• Identify antimicrobial classifications
• Describe mechanisms, side effects, contraindications, teaching
• Explain culture and sensitivity testing
• Contrast bactericidal vs. bacteriostatic
• Discuss resistant organisms’ impact
• List interventions to decrease resistance
• Identify patient variables
• Identify pseudomembranous colitis/C. diff risks
• Explain viral vs. bacterial treatment differences
• Identify nephrotoxic, ototoxic, hepatotoxic antimicrobials
• Apply nursing process
• Identify related lab values

Apply the nursing process to autonomic nervous system drugs

• Cite classifications and actions
• Give examples of when, how, and to whom given
• Identify side effects and considerations
• Describe lifespan implications
• Apply evidence-based concepts
• Identify herbal supplement implications
• Identify and interpret lab tests
• Understand sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions
• List effects of activating/blocking sympathetic system
• List effects of activating/blocking parasympathetic system
• Describe mechanisms, side effects, contraindications, teaching
• Compare alpha/beta receptor responses
• Explain vasoconstrictors/inotropes for shock
• Apply nursing process
• Identify related lab values

Apply the nursing process to respiratory system drugs

• Cite classifications and actions
• Give examples of when, how, and to whom given
• Identify side effects and considerations
• Describe lifespan implications
• Apply evidence-based concepts
• Identify herbal supplement implications
• Identify and interpret lab tests
• Identify respiratory drug classifications
• Describe mechanisms, side effects, contraindications, teaching
• Differentiate H1 vs. H2 receptors
• Explain ANS impact on lower respiratory tract
• Compare URI, allergies, COPD, asthma responses
• Understand drug delivery systems
• Apply nursing process
• Identify related lab values

Apply the nursing process to cardiovascular and renal system drugs

• Cite cardiovascular and renal classifications/actions
• Give examples of when, how, and to whom given
• Identify side effects and considerations
• Describe lifespan implications
• Apply evidence-based concepts
• Identify herbal supplement implications
• Identify and interpret lab tests
• Identify classifications
• Describe mechanisms, side effects, contraindications, teaching
• Explain cardiac output, resistance, blood volume, BP
• Explain RAAS system
• Explain action potentials in myocardium
• Compare nitrate preparations
• Identify electrolyte imbalances with diuretics
• Compare diuretic types
• Explain lab monitoring for anticoagulants
• Apply nursing process
• Identify related lab values

Apply the nursing process to gastrointestinal system drugs

• Cite classifications and actions
• Give examples of when, how, and to whom given
• Identify side effects and considerations
• Describe lifespan implications
• Apply evidence-based concepts
• Identify herbal supplement implications
• Identify and interpret lab tests
• Identify GI drug classifications
• Describe mechanisms, side effects, contraindications, teaching
• Identify PUD/GERD signs
• Identify nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea causes
• Apply nursing process
• Identify related lab values

Apply the nursing process to central nervous system drugs

• Cite CNS classifications/actions
• Cite psychiatric drug actions
• Give examples of when, how, and to whom given
• Identify side effects and considerations
• Describe lifespan implications
• Apply evidence-based concepts
• Identify herbal supplement implications
• Identify and interpret lab tests
• Identify CNS classifications
• Describe mechanisms, side effects, contraindications, teaching
• Apply nursing process
• Identify neurotransmitters
• Improve psychotropic compliance
• Manage anxiety, depression, bipolar, ADHD
• Explain antipsychotic therapy goals
• Explain extrapyramidal symptoms
• Explain pain assessment and non-drug control
• Describe legal responsibilities for narcotics
• Discuss controlled substances and opioid abuse
• Identify strategies to improve opioid safety
• Manage seizures and anesthesia
• Compare local vs. general anesthetics
• Identify general anesthesia stages
• Identify related lab values

Apply the nursing process to endocrine system drugs

• Cite classifications and actions
• Give examples of when, how, and to whom given
• Identify side effects and considerations
• Describe lifespan implications
• Apply evidence-based concepts
• Identify herbal supplement implications
• Identify and interpret lab tests
• Identify endocrine classifications
• Describe mechanisms, side effects, contraindications, teaching
• Compare hypo/hyperthyroidism
• Understand insulin/glucagon regulation
• Compare hypo/hyperglycemia
• Understand Type I vs. II diabetes
• Compare insulin types and concentrations
• Identify oral hypoglycemics
• Identify glucocorticoid therapeutic uses
• Apply nursing process
• Identify related lab values

Apply the nursing process to analgesic and musculoskeletal system drugs

• Cite analgesic and musculoskeletal classifications/actions
• Give examples of when, how, and to whom given
• Identify side effects and considerations
• Describe lifespan implications
• Apply evidence-based concepts
• Discuss controlled substances guidelines
• Apply nursing process
• Identify classifications
• Describe mechanisms, side effects, contraindications, teaching
• Explain thorough pain assessment
• Describe non-pharmacologic pain control
• Describe legal responsibilities for narcotics
• Discuss opioid abuse and safety
• Explain multimodal pain management
• Identify nurse’s role with anesthetics
• Compare local vs. general anesthetics
• Identify general anesthesia stages