Pharmacotherapy 1 (5 ECTS)

Learning outcomes

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

Teaching methods

- Flipped learning
- Clinical and professional problems/case scenarios with evidence base solutions
- Interactive lecture
- Small group work
- Clinical laboratory teaching
- Simulation
- Virtual learning enviroments
- Independent study

Location and time

Spring 2025

Learning materials and recommended literature

Course and exam material:

English taught course: all materials used during the course and exam reading will be confirmed at the beginning of the course

Alternative completion methods of implementation

N/A

Internship and working life connections

N/A

Exam dates and retake possibilities

Time of the exam is to be announced later and the exam is to be performed in EXAM.
13.10-19.10.2025

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 3.11-9.11.2025

Retake 2 1.12-8.12.2025

Medical Mathematics Exam dates and re-exams:
Math exam in EXAM in week 37
Re-exams:
1st re-exam in week 38
2nd re-exam in week 39
Re-exams may be attempted twice in the specified number of re-exams. If the student does not pass, he or she will participate in a Medical Mathematics support workshop in week 43 and then an additional Medical Mathematics exam in week 43.

International connections

Alternatively, the student may complete the course in English together with English taught group.

Student workload

1 cr = 27 h

The course consists of 135 hours of which the amount contact hours will be 24 h (clinical laboratory teaching and simulations) and independent study 111 h (preparing for exam, web-based materials and learning assignments)

Content scheduling

More information about the course progression and study materials will be provided on orientation.

Further information for students

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.

Clinical labs and simulations are compulsory 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.

Recognition of prior learning (AHOT): Recognition of prior learning is only possible for those students who have completed similar studies in higher education.

Assessment methods and criteria

Exams F-5. Pharmacotherapy and pharmacology exams will form a joint exam, which is evaluated as whole

Drug-calculations exam (pass-fail)
Web-based courses and all independent course assignments (100%)
Clinical laboratory teaching (100% attendance)
Simulations (100% attendance)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

See the attachment "Framework for evaluation criteria of competence"