Pharmacotherapy 1 (5 cr)

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

- Approx 50% of studies contact teaching on campus
- Schedule in OMA
- Please actively monitor your schedule and announcements (email) changes may be possible.

Materials

Understanding Pharmacology in Nursing Practice (Hood & Khan 2020). Available online using library services.
Medicine Management Skills for Nurses. Student Survival Skills. (Boyd C. 2013). Available online using library services.
Reading area for exam: Chapters 1-9, 13.

Material, handouts and articles pointed out by the teacher in moodle.

Teaching methods

- Flipped learning
- Case study work with evidence-based nursing solutions
- Variable, activating learning methods
- Interactive lecture
- Task oriented teaching
- Small group working
- Clinical laboratory teaching
- Skills lab working
- Independent online study

Employer connections

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Exam schedules

Dates for exams will be published in the orientation.

Everyone is entitled to two retake attempts. Exam grade could be upgraded once at the first retake exam. Retake exam are completed as per instructions given at the orientation in campus in EXAM room.

Drug calculation exam & retakes 1 & 2, schedule will be informed in the course orientation (responsible teacher in drug calculations Päivi Leskinen).

International connections

Alternatively, the student may complete the course together with Finnish taught 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 hrs which is divided to contact hours (lectures, laboratories, simulations, exams) and independent studies.

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.

Participation in orientation is compulsory. It is mandatory to participate to theory classes.

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

Please note that the assignments and materials prepared by the lecturers are works in accordance with the Copyright Act (404/61) for which the lecturer has copyright. Assignments and materials may not be used except in their own studies. Their public distribution is only allowed with the permission of the lecturer.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

See the attachment "Framework for evaluation criteria of competence"

Assessment methods and criteria

Separate exams for pharmacotherapy and pharmacology
Exam 1 Pharmacotherapy 0-5
Exam 2 Pharmacology 0-5

Drug-calculations exam (pass-fail)

Web-based courses and all independent course assignments (100%)
Clinical laboratory teaching (100% attendance)
Simulation (100% attendance)