NR508 Advanced Pharmacology Syllabus Overview

16 July 2024

Syllabus Overview

Course Number:NR508

Course Title:Advanced Pharmacology

Course Credits:3 credits

Prerequisite:NR503, NR507

Course Description:This course expands knowledge of pharmacological principles specific to the role of the Advanced Practice Nurse (APN). The student will explore, analyze, apply, and evaluate commonly used drugs for the treatment of chronic diseases and self-limiting acute conditions. Additionally, the course will emphasize critical appraisal skills in determining the best evidence for prescriptive intervention.

Textbooks and Resources

Required Textbooks:

  • Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (year of publication). Title of textbook in italics (X ed.). City, ST: Publisher.
  • American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Optional Textbooks:

  • Book Title
  • Information regarding supplementary material, software, etc.

Physical Books and Supplies:To obtain all your books and supplies, visit the online Chamberlain bookstore at Chamberlain Bookstore.

eBook Details

First Time Using VitalSource?

  1. View the VitalSource Video.
  2. Register with VitalSource Bookshelf Online:
    • Click the cover or title of your eBook. A new window will open.
    • Enter email address and password. Bookshelf Online will open.
  3. Access the Desktop and Mobile Versions:
    • You must complete Step 2 prior to using the desktop or mobile versions.

Already Registered?Three Ways to Access Your eBooks:

  1. Bookshelf Online:
    • Access your eBook by clicking on the book cover or title on the syllabus page. Bookshelf Online will open.
  2. Desktop Devices:
    • Download your eBooks and use them whether you’re connected to the Internet or not.
  3. Mobile Devices:
    • Download the app and get your eBooks on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.

Program Outcomes

Program outcomes of Chamberlain nursing programs can be found in the Program Descriptions section of your College Catalog. Access your College Catalog at Chamberlain College Catalog.

The MSN program outcomes are aligned with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing publication, The Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing (2011). Upon completion of the MSN degree program, graduates will be able to:

  1. Practice safe, high-quality advanced nursing care based on concepts and knowledge from nursing and related disciplines.
  2. Construct processes for leading and promoting quality improvement and safety in advanced nursing practice and healthcare delivery.
  3. Use contemporary communication modalities effectively in advanced nursing roles.
  4. Evaluate the design, implementation, and outcomes of strategies developed to meet healthcare needs.
  5. Develop a plan for lifelong personal and professional growth that integrates professional values regarding scholarship, service, and global engagement.
  6. Apply legal, ethical, and human-caring principles to situations in advanced nursing practice.
  7. Design patient-centered care models and delivery systems using the best available scientific evidence.
  8. Manage human, fiscal, and physical resources to achieve and support individual and organizational goals.
  9. Compose a plan for systematic inquiry and dissemination of findings to support advanced nursing practice, patient-care innovation, and the nursing profession.
  10. Collaborate interprofessionally in research, education, practice, health policy, and leadership to improve population health outcomes.
  11. Apply principles of informatics to manage data and information to support effective decision-making.

Course Outcomes

Chamberlain College of Nursing courses are built to align course content with specific Course Outcomes (COs). The COs define the learning objectives that the student will be required to comprehend and demonstrate by course completion. The COs that will be covered in detail each week can be found on the Overview page for that particular week. Whenever possible, a reference will be made from a particular assignment or discussion back to the CO that it emphasizes.

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

  1. Evaluate the APN role for independent and interprofessional collaborative management of pharmacological agents in prescribing and monitoring pharmacologic therapies in patients across the lifespan. (PO 1)
  2. Differentiate evidence-based practice guidelines in the management of therapeutic agents for selected system problems. (PO 1)
  3. Analyze major pharmacological groups including pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and indications for use in the management of patients in primary care and with special populations such as infants, children, pregnant and lactating women, and older adults. (PO 1, 4)
  4. Distinguish internal and external environment factors affecting drug action, reaction, efficacy, and interaction. (PO 1)
  5. Identify appropriate drug therapy and drug product selection for the treatment of specific health problems in the primary care setting while taking into consideration cost-effectiveness, side effects, monitoring, contraindications, interactions, and efficacy. (PO 1, 4)
  6. Reflect on personal and professional growth toward achieving competence as a family nurse practitioner. (PO 5, 10)

Course Schedule

Week 1: CO 1, 2, 3, 4 Topics: Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, Art of Pharmacotherapeutics, Reproductive System Medications, and Drug-OTC-Herbal Interactions Readings:

  • Edmunds, M. W. & Mayhew, M. S. (2013). Pharmacology for the primary care provider (4th ed.). Retrieved from VitalSource
    • Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 54, 55, 56, 71 Assignments: Case Study Discussion, Quiz

Week 2: CO 5 Topics: Metabolic Syndrome I and II, Diabetes-Co-Morbidities, Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia Readings:

  • Edmunds, M. W. & Mayhew, M. S. (2013). Pharmacology for the primary care provider (4th ed.). Retrieved from VitalSource
    • Chapters: 17, 18, 21, 24, 52, 53 Assignments: Case Study Discussion, Quiz

Week 3: CO 5 Topics: Cardiovascular Disease: Heart Failure, Atrial Fibrillation, and Gastrointestinal Disorders Readings:

  • Edmunds, M. W. & Mayhew, M. S. (2013). Pharmacology for the primary care provider (4th ed.). Retrieved from VitalSource
    • Chapters: 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 Assignments: Case Study Discussion, Quiz

Week 4: CO 1, 3, 4, 5 Topics: Depression (Anti-depressants), Anti-anxiety, and Psychopharmacology Readings:

  • Edmunds, M. W. & Mayhew, M. S. (2013). Pharmacology for the primary care provider (4th ed.). Retrieved from VitalSource
    • Chapters: 41, 42, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 72 Assignments: Midterm exam

Week 5: CO 1, 3 Topics: Anti-infectives Readings:

  • Edmunds, M. W. & Mayhew, M. S. (2013). Pharmacology for the primary care provider (4th ed.). Retrieved from VitalSource
    • Chapters: 33, 34, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69 Assignments: Case Study Discussion, Quiz

Week 6: CO 3 Topics: Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesics (Gout and Acetaminophen Toxicity) Readings:

  • Edmunds, M. W. & Mayhew, M. S. (2013). Pharmacology for the primary care provider (4th ed.). Retrieved from VitalSource
    • Chapters: 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 43, 44 Assignments: Case Study Discussion, Quiz

Week 7: CO 3 Topics: Pulmonary/Respiratory Agents: Asthma, and Drug Mechanisms Readings:

  • Edmunds, M. W. & Mayhew, M. S. (2013). Pharmacology for the primary care provider (4th ed.). Retrieved from VitalSource
    • Chapters: 13, 14, 15, 16, 51 Assignments: Reflection, Quiz

Week 8: CO 6 Topics: Unrelated Topics in Pharmacology Readings:

  • Edmunds, M. W. & Mayhew, M. S. (2013). Pharmacology for the primary care provider (4th ed.). Retrieved from VitalSource
    • Chapters: 4, 5, 6, 70, 73 Assignments: Final exam

Late Assignment Policy

Students are expected to submit assignments by the due date. Assignments submitted late will receive a 10% deduction per day, up to three days. After three days, a zero will be recorded. Exceptions may be granted in emergencies.

Evaluation Methods

Graded ItemPointsWeightingDiscussion (Weeks 1, 2, 3, 5, 6)135 each week67.5%Midterm Exam (Week 4)12012%Reflection (Week 7)555.5%Final Exam (Week 8)15015%Total1,000100%

Grades are converted to letter grades using the scale below:

Letter GradePointsPercentageA940–1,00094% to 100%A-920–93992% to 93%B+890–91989% to 91%B860–88986% to 88%B-840–85984% to 85%C+810–83981% to 83%C760–80976% to 80%F759 and below75% and below

Participation for MSN

Threaded Discussion Guiding Principles:Threaded discussions (TDs) facilitate scholarly inquiry and professional dialogue. Participation in TDs requires engaging with peers and faculty, contributing to discussions with evidence-based knowledge, and fostering a community of learners.

Participation Guidelines:Each weekly TD is worth up to 25 points. Students must post a minimum of two times per thread on separate days. The main post must be made by Wednesday 11:59 p.m. MT, and subsequent posts by Sunday 11:59 p.m. MT.

Grading Rubric:

Performance Category109840ScholarlinessDemonstrates achievement of scholarly inquiry for professional decisions with relevant evidenceProvides relevant evidence but lacks clarity on how it informed decisionsDiscusses scholarly inquiry without stating its impact on decisionsMinimal scholarly inquiry, lacks relevanceNo scholarly inquiryApplication of Course KnowledgeDirect reference to concepts from lessons and outside sources, applies to personal experienceDirect reference to concepts, applies to personal experienceRelevant to discussion topic, no direct reference to lesson contentLimited understanding of lesson principles, does not apply to personal experienceNot related to discussion prompt, does not apply lesson conceptsInteractive DialogueExceeds minimum posts, replies to peer and faculty questions, summarizes learningMeets expectations, replies to peer, summarizes learningReplies to student peer or faculty questions, limited contentDoes not reply substantively to peer or facultyNo interaction, no response to facultyGrammar, Syntax, APAZero to one errorsTwo to four errorsFive to seven errorsEight to nine errorsGreater than ten errorsTotal Participation RequirementsMeets the requirement of two posts on separate daysDoes not meet minimum requirementsEarly Participation RequirementSubstantive answer to graded question by Wednesday 11:59 p.m. MTDoes not meet the requirement

Webliography Disclaimer:The Webliography provides annotated bibliographies of websites relevant to course subjects. Use caution as they are not academically sanctioned.

Professional Portfolio:Select assignments from FNP courses will be compiled as artifacts within a Professional Portfolio to demonstrate professional growth and expertise. The final portfolio, submitted in NR661, will include:

  • Reflections from Week 8 for all FNP courses
  • Five exemplar case studies
  • eLogs portfolio
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Professional development plan paper from NR510

This structured organization provides a clear and detailed presentation of the syllabus content for NR508 Advanced Pharmacology.