Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Nurse Practitioners have significant roles and responsibilities in relation to drug interventions. Depending on your precise context of specialty practice and the collaborative elements of that practice, as a nurse practitioner you can prescribe, administer and evaluate the effects of medications from an agreed formulary based on a comprehensive health assessment and accurate diagnosis.

In order to assume these roles and responsibilities consistent with clinical, organisational and legislative requirements, knowledge of pharmacology must inform the nurse practitioner's medication decision-making.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to enable you to develop the foundation pharmacological knowledge necessary for Nurse Practitioner practice.

Prior to undertaking this unit, it is assumed that, as a minimum, you possess a good working knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of all human organ systems, in addition to an understanding of pathophysiology commensurate with your current advanced nursing practice role.

This unit provides the theoretical foundation for NSN426, which encompasses the application of knowledge attained in this unit to selected therapeutic practices.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, you will be able to make judicious use of pharmacological agents in extended nursing practice informed by knowledge of pharmacology. You will therefore demonstrate:

1. Knowledge of the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacogenomics of drugs that pertain to body systems and their disorders;



2. Clinical expertise in relation to the selection and prescription of specialty-, person- and context-specific medications; and



3. Life-long learning ability that can be drawn upon to maintain pharmacological knowledge.

Content

The content of this unit encompasses the foundation knowledge necessary to plan and manage pharmacological interventions in health care. You are introduced to the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacogenomics that pertain to drug treatments in the major body systems. Content comprises:

1. The pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacogenomics of drugs that pertain to the following body systems




1. Nervous system


2. Respiratory system


3. Cardiovascular system


4. Immune system


5. Endocrine system


6. Renal system


7. Gastrointestinal system


8. Reproductive system


9. Skeletal system


10. Muscular system


11. Integumentary system




2. The selection and prescription of specialty-, person- and context-specific medications.

Successful completion of this unit contributes to attainment of the following course values, ANMC Nurse Practitioner Standards, QUT Capabilities and Australian Learning and Teaching Council expectations:

• Course Values:




1. Safe, competent advanced practitioners who strive towards excellence in the delivery of holistic, evidence-based nursing care for all people in the settings in which they practise; and


2. Inquiring practitioners who value intellectual curiosity, the active pursuit of new knowledge and its incorporation within the provision of high quality nursing care.




• ANMC Competency Standard:




1. Dynamic practice that incorporates the application of high-level knowledge and skills in extended practice across stable, unpredictable and complex situations.




• QUT Graduate Capabilities:




1. Knowledge and skills pertinent to a particular professional area;


2. Critical, creative and analytical thinking and effective problem-solving;


3. Effective communication in a variety of contexts and modes including written and oral communication; and


4. Capacity for life-long learning, including searching for and critically evaluating information from a variety of sources.




• Australian Learning and Teaching Council Threshold Learning Outcomes for Health Graduates:




1. Retrieve, critically evaluate and apply evidence in the performance of health-related activities;


2. Deliver safe and effective collaborative care; and


3. Reflect on current skills, knowledge and attitudes and plan for ongoing personal and professional development.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit is delivered in flexible mode, with all teaching and learning activities open to both internal and external students. You will receive a comprehensive online study guide and a list of suitable readings and text books. The study guide will provide a framework for learning activities and encourage critical analysis through a structured program of learning.

A range of approaches to teaching and learning is used to promote knowledge and skills in pharmacology. You will be encouraged to think critically about the key pharmacological needs and problems experienced by individuals in your specialty through analysis of evidence and case studies and through contribution to class discussions. These activities will be embedded in:

• A formal seminar series. For students who cannot attend in person, audio recordings and PowerPoint files of the seminars will be available online;



• An online teaching page, which will provide access to web-based resources, all unit content, a communication forum for students and staff to discuss unit content, and a frequently-asked questions area;



• Group and individual teleconferences to discuss unit content;



• Compulsory residential school; and



• Assessment items.

Assessment

There are three assessment items in this unit.Assessment will be spaced throughout the semester to provide the opportunity for feedback on your learning at key points. You will be provided with feedback on each assessment item as you progress through the unit. A structured approach to assessment and marking will be applied to provide you with detailed feedback on your progress.

Assessment name: Online Multiple Choice Test
Description: Multiple choice practice tests on unit content to date.
Weighting: 0% (formative)
Relates to objectives: 1-3.
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Weeks 4, 8 & 11

Assessment name: Evidence review (3500 words)
Description: Critical review of the evidence related to the pharmacological management of two symptoms commonly encountered in your discrete area of extended practice.
Relates to objectives: 1-3.
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 6

Assessment name: Theory Examination
Description: two-hour exam consisting of multiple choice and short answer items on unit content.
Relates to objectives: 1-3.
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Examination period

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

AMH Pty Ltd. (2013). Australian medicines handbook. AMH, http://www.amh.net.au
(Aged Care and Emergency Drug Choice Companion versions of the AMH are also available for students studying in these specialty areas).

Rang, H., Dale, M., Ritter, J., & Fowler, R. (2012). Rang and Dale's pharmacology (7th ed.). Churchill Livingston, New York.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with undertaking this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 22-Nov-2012