Study Guide

Objective

Students
- are proficient in the legislation and providing information on pharmacotherapy
- have working knowledge of pharmacology, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
- can plan, implement and evaluate safe pharmacotherapy as members of multiprofessional teams
- are proficient in the implementation of pharmacotherapy by different modes of administration
- are proficient in the dosage calculations required in the administration of medication and infusions
- can educate clients/patients in pharmacotherapy, encourage their commitment to it and self-care embracing health promotion.

Content

- nurse’s role, tasks and responsibility regarding pharmacotherapy
- organization, guidance and supervision of pharmaceutical service, safety issues related to medicines and their administration
- pharmacodynamics and -kinetics and toxicology
- different pharmacons
- therapeutic effects of pharmacons, side effects and synergism, mechanisms of synergism
- dosage calculations
- safe pharmaceutical process and plan
- use of and pharmaceutical databases
- follow up of effects, documentation, dosage and assessment of pharmacotherapy
- patient education, commitment to pharmacotherapy and self-medication

Materials

Hood & Khan. 2020. Undertanding Pharmacology in Nursing Practice. Springer. Link to e-book: https://metropolia.finna.fi/Record/nelli15.4100000010480406

Material, handouts and articles pointed out by the teacher (in Moodle).

Teaching methods

· Flipped learning
· Mode of delivery face-to-face
· Interactive lecture
· Cooperative learning, Small group work
· Guided assigments
· Clinical laboratory teaching
· Simulation
· Virtual learning
· Independent study
· Moodle

Employer connections

N/A

Exam schedules

The exam date of pharmacotherapy will be confirmed when the course starts.

Everyone is entitled to two retake attempts. Retake dates are announced at the orientation of the course. Exam grade could be upgraded once at the first retake exam. Enrolment to the retake exams will happen using the name of the teacher in charge of the course. Retake exam are completed as per instructions given at the orientation. Please adhere to Metropolia guidelines regarding enrolment process for the retake exams. (Instructions can be found in OMA).

Retake 1 & 2: will be announced at the orientation lesson.

The drug calculation exam will take place in connection with the drug math theory teaching. Please see the exam date and the retakes from the course schedule.

International connections

Alternatively, the student may complete the course in English together with the Finnish-speaking group.

Completion alternatives

It is possible to apply total or partly AHOT/RPL (recognition of prior learning) based on earlier studies, according to AHOT-guidelines (please see OMA). The AHOT process must be commenced before the course begins. The student going through the process must enroll on the course as usual and attend on orientation so the compensatory activities can be agreed. Decision of partial AHOT must be presented to the responsible teacher prior to course orientation.

Student workload

1 cr = 27 h
The course consists of 135 hours of which the amount contact hours will be 44 h (theory, clinical laboratory teaching and simulation) and independent study 91 h (preparing for exam, web-based materials and learning assignments).

Content scheduling

More information about the course progression and study materials will be provided during orientation and in Moodle.

Further information

This implementation is aimed for students with a previous nursing degree (bachelor or diploma). This implementation doesn't include pharmacology.

This implementation contains the following parts: theory, clinical labs, simulations and drug mathematics. The drug calculation exam will take place in connection with the drug math theory teaching. Info about exam practices will be provided on orientation.

Participation in orientation is compulsory. Theory lectures include learning activities, that are compulsory and require attendance. In case of absence student is required to ask teacher for instructions on how to compensate.

Participation in clinical laborations is compulsory. Students are required to wear appropriate protective uniforms in clinical laborations. Instructions given in asepsis lectures are being followed during practicing.

Course content, learning assignments and assessments will support the student in national final exam for nursing students (YleSH180op).

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

See the attachment "Framework for evaluation criteria of competence"

Assessment methods and criteria

Exam H-5, Pharmacotherapy exam.

Drug-calculations exam (pass-fail)
Online courses/ independent assignments (100%)
Clinical laboratory teaching 4 x (100% attendance)
Simulations 2 x (100% attendance)