Minimum Course Hours: 30

Course Description

Learners build on content from Pharmacology 1 to develop their understanding of pharmacotherapeutics prescribed for illnesses across the lifespan. Topics include drug classifications and links with common diseases and illnesses based on a body system approach, drug resistance, and the practical nurse’s legal responsibilities associated with the administration of opioids. Learners will discuss interactions of complementary, Indigenous, and alternative therapies and prescription medications.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Level 1 courses and Consolidated Practice Experience 1

Corequisites: Professional Practice 2; Professional Communication 2; Integrated Nursing Practice 2; Variations in Health 2; Health Promotion 2

Note: Learners must achieve an 80% average overall on the theory portion of Pharmacology 2 and have three attempts to achieve 100% in the math calculations exam to pass the course.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Describe medication classifications, actions, interactions, and nursing implications for body systems, including endocrine, neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and musculoskeletal systems, and miscellaneous drug classifications.
   • 1.1 Describe the effects, uses, and indications for antimicrobials, as well as the relationship with drug resistance.
   • 1.2 Describe the potential interactions between prescription medications and complementary, Indigenous, and alternative therapies, including herbal preparations.
2. Relate drug interactions, polypharmacy, and food-drug effects to medications used by clients across the lifespan, particularly in older adults.
   • 2.1 Describe age-related changes and safe medication practices in older adults.
   • 2.2 Discuss how age-related changes impact pharmacokinetics.
3. Discuss opioid side effects, indications for use, and the practical nurse’s legal responsibilities related to opioid administration.
   • 3.1 Discuss the principles of pain management.
   • 3.2 Explore types of analgesics.
   • 3.3 Describe major classes of drugs that are substances of addiction.
4. Conduct basic mathematical drug calculations correctly.
   • 4.1 Review medication calculation content from Pharmacology 1.
   • 4.2 Identify common unit conversion factors.
   • 4.3 Discuss the 24-hour clock and why this is important in medication administration.
   • 4.4 Summarize the consequences of mathematical errors when calculating drug dosages.
5. Examine the LPN’s professional role within the interprofessional team in ordering, processing, dispensing, administering, and monitoring prescription medications and complementary and alternative therapies.
   • 5.1 Explore the BCCNM documents that guide the practical nurse’s role in relation to medication handling.
   • 5.2 Discuss legal, professional, and ethical considerations when ordering, processing, dispensing, administering, and monitoring medications.

Course Concepts

Course outcomes will be met through examination and exploration of the following:

• Drug classifications according to body systems:
  • Endocrine system
  • Nervous system, including effects on cognition and mental health (anti-depressants, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, sedatives and hypnotics, and anticonvulsants and antiepileptics)
  • Cardiovascular system
  • Respiratory system
  • Gastrointestinal system (not including medications used to treat constipation)
  • Genitourinary system
  • Musculoskeletal system
  • Sensory system
• Miscellaneous drug classifications (antineoplastics)
• Antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal agents
• Analgesics: opioid and non-opioid
• Drug resistance
• Interactions of prescription medications with complementary, Indigenous, and alternative therapies, including herbal preparations
• Medication dosage calculations