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

Location and time

Spring 2024

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).
Exam material: Saano, S. & Taam-Ukkonen, M. All editons from 2014 onward. Pharmacotherapy Handbook. SanomaPro.

Medication reading range (215 pages):

Sairaanhoitajan lääkehoidon osaaminen, Lääkehoidon juridis-eettiset perusteet, Lääkehoidon keskeiset käsitteet, Lääkehuolto eri toimintaympäristöissä, Aseptiikka lääkehoidossa, Lääkkeen anto luonnollista tietä, Lääkkeen anto injektiona, Sairaanhoitaja turvallisen lääkehoidon toteuttajana, Lääkehoidon turvallisuuden edistäminen, Turvallisen lääkehoidon kulmakivet

Pharmacology reading area (210 pages):

Lääkkeen vaiheet ja vaikutukset elimistössä, Lääkehoitoon vaikuttavia tekijöitä, Lääkkeiden haitta- ja yhteisvaikutukset, Raskauden hormonaalinen ehkäisy ja hormonikorvaushoito, Mikrobilääkkeet, Ruuansulatuselimistön sairauksien lääkehoito, Virtsateiden sairauksen, munuaissairauksien ja eturauhasen hyvänlaatuisen liikakasvun lääkehoito, Aistinelinsairauksien lääkehoito, Ihosairauksien lääkehoito, Vitamiinit ja kivennäisaineet, Kasvirohdokset

Drug calculation theory

Nikkola R., Nurkka N., Paloposki S. 2016. Annos oivallusta. Sanoma pro.

OR

Ernvall, S. ym. 2009. Lääkelaskenta. WSOY. Porvoo. Helsinki.

OR

Pussinen A-M., Somerharju L., Hannula J. 2017. Lääkelaskut ammattikorkeakouluihin. Edita. Helsinki.

OR
Teacher's material 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. Exams are done in EXAM aquarium. Links provided to that on orientation.
The date of the pharmaceutical exam is xx.x-xx.x.2024 and the exam in pharmacology is xx.x-xx.x.2024.
Pharmacotherapy and pharmacology exams form a joint exam, that is evaluated as whole. 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: xx.x.2024
Retake 2: xx.xx.2024

The drug calculation exam will take place in connection with the drug math theory teaching (Päivi Leskinen). Please see the exam date and the retakes from the course schedule. Drug-calculations exam will be completed as part of drug mathematics
Drug-calculations exam 1st retake
Drug-calculations exam 2nd retake

Information of EXAM aquarium: https://oma.metropolia.fi/henkilokunnalle/strategia-ja-kehityspalvelut/digitalisaatio/ohjelmistojen-ohjeet/exam/exam-opiskelijoille

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.
Web-based studying: Students who have previous training or qualifications in medicines managemet can complete theory part independently. However, it is a recommendation, that all students will participate contact teaching provided. Pharmacology lectures are provided either as interactive lectures or distance learning (virtual classrooms etc.). Course exams will be completed at the campus according to general guidelines.

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

Pharmacotherapy 1 contains the following parts: theory, clinical labs and simulations, pharmacology 1 and drug mathematics. Info about exam practices will be provided on orientation.
In case of absence from the orientation it is student´s responsibility to find out from peers about the practicalities of the course. In case of absence from the lectures or clinical laboratory teaching same applies.
Clinical labs and simulations are mandatory and it is required that the student attends the teaching wearing nursing uniform and appropriate footwear. All students must follow the taught basic aseptic guidelines. Recognition of prior learning (AHOT): Recognition of prior learning is only possible for those students who have completed similar studies in higher education.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

See the attachment "Framework for evaluation criteria of competence"

Assessment methods and criteria

Exam F-5, Pharmacotherapy and pharmacology exams will form a joint exam, which is evaluated as whole. Retake exams will be evaluated similarly to the initial exam.

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