Pharmacology for Nurses

Unit 1 – Introduction to Pharmacology

Unit 2 – Drug Administration

Unit 3 – Ethics and Safety in Pharmacology

Unit 4 – Introduction to Homeostasis

Unit 5 – Fluids, Electrolytes, Vitamins, and Minerals

Unit 6 – Immune System and Inflammation Basics

Unit 7 – Anti–infective Drugs

Unit 8 – Cancer Therapy: Intro to Drugs and Treatment

Unit 9 – Nervous System Basics for Nurses

Unit 10 – Myasthenia Gravis & Alzheimer's Medications

Unit 11 – Parkinson's and MS Drug Treatments

Unit 12 – Anticonvulsants and Neurological Treatments

Unit 13 – Psychopharmacologic Drugs

Unit 14 – Pain Response Drugs

Unit 15 – Substance Use Disorder Treatment Medications

Unit 16 – Cardiovascular System Basics

Unit 17 – Antidysrhythmic Drugs

Unit 18 – Hypertension & Angina Medications

Unit 19 – Heart Failure Drugs

Unit 20 – Anticoagulants and Antiplatelets in Nursing

Unit 21 – Lipid–Lowering Drugs

Unit 22 – Cardiac Emergency and Shock Drugs

Unit 23 – Respiratory System Basics for Nurses

Unit 24 – Upper Respiratory Disorder Drugs

Unit 25 – Lower Respiratory Disorder Drugs

Unit 26 – Hypothalamic, Pituitary & Adrenal Drug Therapy

Unit 27 – Thyroid & Parathyroid Medication

Unit 28 – Diabetic Drugs

Unit 29 – Digestive System Basics for Nurses

Unit 30 – Gastrointestinal Disorder Drugs

Unit 31 – Hyperacidity and Antiulcer Drugs

Unit 32 – Weight Management Drugs

Unit 33 – Renal and Urinary Systems Overview

Unit 34 – Diuretic Drugs

Unit 35 – Drugs for Urinary & Bladder Disorders

Unit 36 – Reproductive Health Drugs

Unit 37 – Transgender and Nonbinary Drugs

Unit 38 – Ophthalmic Drugs

Unit 39 – Otic Drugs

Unit 40 – Dermatologic Disorder Drugs

## What do you learn in Pharmacology for Nurses

You'll learn all about drugs and how they work in the body. The course covers drug classifications, mechanisms of action, side effects, and how to safely administer medications to patients. You'll also dive into dosage calculations, drug interactions, and legal and ethical issues in pharmacology. It's all about understanding how meds affect the human body and how to use them effectively in nursing practice.

## Is Pharmacology for Nurses hard?

Pharmacology for Nurses has a reputation for being tough, and honestly, it can be pretty challenging. There's a ton of information to memorize, like drug names, dosages, and side effects. Plus, you need to understand how different drugs interact with each other and the body. But don't freak out - with good study habits and practice, it's totally doable. Just be prepared to put in some serious work.

## Tips for taking Pharmacology for Nurses in college

1. Use [Fiveable Study Guides](https://fiveable.me/cram-mode) to help you cram. They're a lifesaver 🌶️
2. Make flashcards for drug names, classifications, and side effects
3. Draw diagrams to visualize drug mechanisms of action
4. Practice dosage calculations regularly
5. Form study groups to quiz each other on drug interactions
6. Use mnemonics to remember drug classes (e.g., ACE inhibitors: "All Cats Eat")
7. Watch YouTube videos on complex topics like pharmacokinetics
8. Create a drug chart to organize info on common medications
9. Review case studies to apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios
10. Check out "Nurses! Test Yourself in Pharmacology" by Katherine Rogers for extra practice

## Common pre-requisites for Pharmacology for Nurses

1. Anatomy and Physiology: This course covers the structure and function of the human body. You'll learn about different organ systems and how they work together.

2. Chemistry: In this class, you'll study the basic principles of matter and chemical reactions. It's essential for understanding how drugs interact with the body at a molecular level.

3. Microbiology: This course focuses on microorganisms and their impact on human health. You'll learn about bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that drugs often target.

## Classes similar to Pharmacology for Nurses

1. Pathophysiology: This course explores how diseases affect the body's normal functioning. You'll learn about the mechanisms behind various illnesses and how they relate to drug treatments.

2. Nursing Assessment: In this class, you'll develop skills to evaluate patients' health status. It ties in with pharmacology by helping you understand how drugs impact patient symptoms and vital signs.

3. Medical-Surgical Nursing: This course covers the care of adult patients with various medical conditions and surgical interventions. You'll apply your pharmacology knowledge to real-world nursing scenarios.

4. Critical Care Nursing: This class focuses on caring for patients with life-threatening conditions. You'll learn about advanced pharmacological interventions used in intensive care settings.

## Majors related to Pharmacology for Nurses

1. Nursing: Focuses on patient care, health promotion, and disease prevention. Nurses work in various healthcare settings and use pharmacological knowledge daily in their practice.

2. Pharmacy: Concentrates on the science of drugs, including their development, production, and safe use. Pharmacists dispense medications and provide drug information to healthcare providers and patients.

3. Biomedical Sciences: Explores the biological basis of human health and disease. Students in this major study how drugs work at a molecular and cellular level.

4. Health Sciences: Covers a broad range of healthcare-related topics. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of health, including the role of medications in treatment and prevention.

## What can you do with a degree in Pharmacology for Nurses?

1. Registered Nurse: Provides direct patient care in hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare settings. RNs administer medications, monitor patient responses, and educate patients about their treatments.

2. Nurse Practitioner: An advanced practice nurse who can diagnose conditions and prescribe medications. NPs often work in primary care settings and specialize in areas like family health or geriatrics.

3. Clinical Nurse Specialist: Focuses on a specific area of nursing practice, such as cardiology or oncology. CNSs use their advanced pharmacology knowledge to improve patient outcomes and train other nurses.

4. Nurse Educator: Teaches nursing students or provides continuing education for practicing nurses. Nurse educators often specialize in pharmacology and help develop curriculum for nursing programs.

## Pharmacology for Nurses FAQs

1. How much math is involved in this course? There's a fair amount of math, especially when it comes to dosage calculations. You'll need to be comfortable with basic algebra and unit conversions.

2. Can I use a drug guide during exams? It depends on your instructor, but most exams are closed-book. You'll need to memorize a lot of drug information.

3. How can I keep up with new drugs on the market? Stay updated by following pharmaceutical news and joining professional nursing organizations. Many offer continuing education on new medications.

4. Is there a lot of lab work in this course? While some programs include lab components, many pharmacology courses are primarily lecture-based. You might have simulation exercises or case studies instead of traditional lab work.

Nursing

1.1 Pharmacology, Interdisciplinary Teams, and Nursing Practice 

1.2 Drug Sources, Forms, and Names

1.3 Drug Classifications and Prototypes

1.4 Special Considerations

2.1 Drug Administration and the Nursing Process

2.2 Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics

2.3 Drug Administration Routes, Preparation, and Administration

2.4 Dosage Calculations

3.1 Legal Considerations

3.2 Drug Errors and Prevention

3.3 Documentation and Informatics

4.1 What Is Homeostasis?

4.2 Osmolality

4.3 Maintaining Homeostasis

4.4 Negative Feedback Loop

5.1 Fluid Volume

5.2 Electrolytes

5.3 Intravenous Fluid Therapy, Total Parenteral Nutrition, and Blood Products

5.4 Vitamins, Minerals, and Complementary and Alternative Therapies

6.1 Introduction to Immunity

6.2 Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Vaccines, and Immunizations

6.3 Immunosuppressants, Biologics, Monoclonal Antibodies, and Biosimilar Drugs

6.4 Introduction to the Inflammatory Response and Anti-inflammatory Drugs

7.1 Introduction to Bacterial, Viral/COVID-19, and Fungal Infections

7.2 Antibiotic, Antiviral/Anti–COVID-19, and Antifungal Drugs

7.3 Introduction to HIV, AIDS, and Antiretrovirals

7.4 Introduction to Sexually Transmitted Infections and Drugs to Treat Them

7.5 Introduction to Tuberculosis and Antitubercular Drugs

7.6 Antiparasitic and Anthelminthic Drugs

8.1 Introduction to Cancer and Phases of Cancer Therapy

8.2 Chemotherapeutic Drugs

8.3 Hormonal Therapy

8.4 Biologic Response Modifiers

9.1 Introduction to the Nervous System

9.2 Structure and Function of the Nervous System

9.3 Characteristics of Drugs to Treat Nervous System Disorders

10.1 Introduction to Myasthenia Gravis

10.2 Cholinergic Drugs

10.3 Introduction to Alzheimer’s Disease

10.4 Alzheimer’s Drugs

11.1 Introduction to Parkinson’s Disease

11.2 Anti-Parkinsonian Drugs 

11.3 Introduction to Multiple Sclerosis

11.4 Drugs Used in the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

12.1 Epilepsy and Anticonvulsant Drugs 

12.2 Migraine Headaches and Migraine Headache Drugs

12.3 Intracranial Emergencies and Intracranial Emergency Drugs

13.1 Antidepressants

13.2 Antipsychotics

13.3 Mood Stabilizers

13.4 Anxiolytics and Sedative-Hypnotics

13.5 CNS Stimulants and Nonstimulants

14.1 Introduction to Pain

14.2 Nonopioid Analgesics

14.3 Opioid Agonists and Antagonists

15.1 Introduction to Substance Use Disorders

15.2 Opioid Use Disorder Drugs

15.3 Alcohol Use Disorder Drugs

15.4 Nicotine Use Disorder Drugs

16.1 Introduction to the Heart, Circulation, and Blood Flow

16.2 Pumping Action of the Heart

16.3 Conduction of Electrical Impulses

17.1 Introduction to Dysrhythmias

17.2 Class I: Sodium Channel Blockers

17.3 Class II: Beta Adrenergic Blockers

17.4 Class III: Potassium Channel Blockers

17.5 Class IV: Calcium Channel Blockers

17.6 Unclassified Antidysrhythmics

18.1 Hypertension and Angina

18.2 Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors

18.3 Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)

18.4 Beta-Adrenergic Blockers

18.5 Calcium Channel Blockers

18.6 Diuretics

18.7 Nitrates

19.1 Heart Failure

19.2 Drugs Affecting the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System

19.3 Beta-Adrenergic Blockers

19.4 Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors (SGLT2Is)

19.5 Diuretics

19.6 Adjunct Medications Used in Heart Failure

20.1 Introduction to Clotting and Coagulation

20.2 Anticoagulants

20.3 Antiplatelets

20.4 Thrombolytics

21.1 Introduction to Lipoprotein and Apolipoproteins

21.2 Statins (HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors) and PCSK9 Inhibitors

21.3 Bile Acid Sequestrants, Fibrates, and Niacin

21.4 Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors

22.1 Introduction to Cardiac Emergencies and Shock

22.2 Cardiac Emergency Drugs

22.3 Shock Drugs

23.1 Introduction to the Upper Respiratory System

23.2 Introduction to the Lower Respiratory System

23.3 Oxygenation and Gas Exchange

24.1 Antihistamines and Decongestants

24.2 Antitussives 

24.3 Expectorants and Mucolytics

25.1 Adrenergics and Anticholinergics

25.2 Corticosteroids

25.3 Xanthines, Leukotriene Modifiers, and Mast Cell Stabilizers

26.1 Introduction to the Adrenal Cortex, Pituitary, and Hypothalamus

26.2 Growth Hormones and Suppressants

26.3 Antidiuretic Hormones

26.4 Glucocorticoids and Mineralocorticoids

27.1 Introduction to the Thyroid and Parathyroid

27.2 Thyroid and Antithyroid Drugs

27.3 Calcium Preparations, Vitamin D, Bisphosphonates, Calcimimetics, and Peptide Hormones

28.1 Introduction to Diabetes

28.2 Insulin and Non-Insulin Injectable Diabetes Drugs

28.3 Oral Antidiabetic Drugs

29.1 Introduction to the Gastrointestinal System and Oral Cavity

29.2 Introduction to the Esophagus and Stomach

29.3 Introduction to the Small and Large Intestines

30.1 Antiemetics

30.2 Antidiarrheals

30.3 Laxatives and Stool Softeners

31.1 Antacids

31.2 Histamine Blockers and Proton-Pump Inhibitors

31.3 Pepsin Inhibitors and Prostaglandin Analogues

32.1 Introduction to Weight Management

32.2 Anorexiants

32.3 Lipase Inhibitors

32.4 Other Drugs, Supplements, and Herbal Remedies

33.1 Introduction to the Renal System

33.2 Renal-Associated Fluid Volume Excess

33.3 Introduction to the Urinary System

34.1 Introduction to Diuretics

34.2 Loop Diuretics

34.3 Osmotic Diuretics

34.4 Potassium-Sparing Diuretics

34.5 Thiazide and Thiazide-Like Diuretics

35.1 Urinary Anti-infectives

35.2 Urinary Antispasmodics, Antimuscarinics, and Anticholinergics

35.3 Urinary Analgesics

35.4 Urinary Stimulants

35.5 Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors

36.1 Review of the Female Reproductive System 

36.2 Hormonal, Contraception, and Infertility Drugs

36.3 Uterine Motility Drugs and Lactation Considerations

36.4 Bisphosphonates, Calcium Preparations, Vitamin D, and Estrogen Receptor Modulators

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