Handbook

This subject will cover the following topics:

MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION TO PHARMACOLOGY AND PRINCIPLES OF PHARMACOLOGY

• This module introduces students to the subject and a range of important principles, in the context of safe nursing practice;
• The registered nurse, drugs and medicines;
• Legal, clinical and ethical foundations of pharmacotherapy;
• Pharmacokinetics (drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion) and dosing regimen;
• Over-the-counter drugs and complementary therapies;
• Molecular drug targets and pharmacodynamics;
• Pharmacogenetics and individualised drug therapy and;
• Adverse drug reactions, drug interactions, and the role of the registered nurse.

MODULE 2: DRUGS AFFECTING THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM AND DRUGS AFFECTING THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

• This module supports students: learning in relation to medicines that affect the peripheral nervous system and the central nervous system, in the context of safe nursing practice:
• Central nervous system overview;
• Overview of the autonomic and somatic nervous systems- drugs affecting cholinergic transmission;
• Analgesics and anesthetics;
• Antianxiety, sedative and hypnotic drugs;
• Antiepileptic drugs;
• Psychotropic agents;
• Central nervous system stimulants;
• Drugs for neurodegenerative disorders and headache and;
• Drugs affecting the eye and ear.

MODULE 3: DRUGS AFFECTING THE HEART, VASCULAR SYSTEM, AND RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

• This module supports students' learning in relation to medicines that affect the heart and vascular system, in the context of safe nursing practice:
• Drugs affecting cardiac function;
• Drugs affecting vascular smooth muscle;
• Lipid-lowering drugs and;
• Drugs used in respiratory disorders.

MODULE 4: DRUGS AFFECTING THE URINARY SYSTEM AND DRUGS AFFECTING THE BLOOD

• This module supports students? learning in relation to medicines that affect the urinary system and medicines that affect the blood, in the context of safe nursing practice:
• Drugs affecting the kidney and bladder;
• Drugs affecting thrombosis and haemostasis;
• Drugs affecting the haemopoietic system.

MODULE 5: DRUGS AFFECTING THE GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM

• This module supports students' learning in relation to medicines that affect the gastro-intestinal system, in the context of safe nursing practice:
• Drugs affecting the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract.

MODULE 6: DRUGS AFFECTING THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM AND DRUGS AFFECTING THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

• This module supports students' learning in relation to medicines that affect the endocrine system, in the context of safe nursing practice:
• The neuroendocrine system and pituitary gland;
• Pharmacology of the adrenal cortex;
• Pharmacology of the endocrine pancreas;
• Pharmacology of the thyroid glands and parathyroid glands;
• Drugs affecting the female reproductive system and;
• Drugs affecting the male reproductive system.

MODULE 7: DRUGS AFFECTING MICROORGANISMS

• This module supports students' learning in relation to medicines that are used in response to infections, in the context of safe nursing practice:
• Overview of antimicrobial chemotherapy and antibiotic resistance;
• Antibacterial drugs;
• Antifungal and antiviral drugs;
• Antiprotozoal, antimycobacterial and anthelmintic drugs;
• Drugs affecting body defences;
• Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating drugs and;
• Drugs affecting the skin.

MODULE 8: SPECIAL TOPICS

• This module supports students' learning in relation to a range of special topics:
• Administration of medicines as a responsibility of the registered nurse;
• Education of patients and families to manage side-effects of medications;
• Drug dependence and social pharmacology;
• Drugs in sport;
• Pharmacotherapy of obesity;
• Envenomation and antivenoms and;
• Chemical restraint.