Study Guide

Objective

You know the key aspects of pharmacotherapy competence required of nurses as well as nurses’ responsibilities and ethical principles in the pharmacotherapy process.
You are familiar with the legislation that governs pharmacotherapy.
You can describe the principles of pharmacotherapy and pharmacology. You understand the most common side effects and interactions of drugs.
You can describe a safe uninterrupted pharmacotherapy process and understand the importance of a pharmacotherapy plan in the implementation of a safe pharmacotherapy process.
You know how to use reliable pharmacotherapy databases.
You are able to administer drugs by the natural route and give injections subcutaneously and intramuscularly based on evidence.
You master the medical dosage calculations required of nurses.

Content

-Nurses’ duties, responsibilities and ethical principles in the pharmacotherapy process
-Principles of pharmacotherapy and pharmacology
-Uninterrupted pharmacotherapy process
-Pharmacotherapy safety
-Pharmacotherapy databases
-Principles of enteral and parenteral pharmacotherapy
-Injections: SC, IM (deltoid, ventrogluteal and thigh) and ID
-Medical dosage calculation

Location and time

13.12.2024-9.4.2025 in Kemi campus

Teaching methods

Independent study, independent assignments, lectures, workshops, exams.

80 % attendance in the lectures and 100 % attendance in the workshops are required.

Exam schedules

-Exam of Medication and Pharmacology in campus 31.1.2025, retake in Exam classroom. Evaluation 1-5/failed.

-Drug calculation exam in campus 5.2.2025 for group A and 6.2.2025 for group B, 1. retake in campus 5.2.2025 for group A and 6.2.2025 for group B, 2. retake in campus 7.2.2025. Next retake in general drug calculation workshop. Evaluation approved/failed.

-Other assignments approved/completed.

Completion alternatives

Adams, M., Holland, N. & Urban, C. 2017. Pharmacology for Nurses. A Pathophysiologic Approach. Fifth Edition. Pearson.
Adams, M.P., Holland, Jr, L.N., Bostwick, P. M. 2011. Pharmacology for Nurses. A Pathophysiologic Approach, Pearson Education, New Jersey, USA. (Only Units 1 and 2)
Abrams, A.C., Pennington S.S., Lammon, C.B. 2009. Clinical Drug Therapy, Rationales for Nursing Practice, Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, China. (Only Partly)
Downie, G., Mackenzie, J., Williams, A., Hind, C. 2008. Pharmacology and medicines management for nurses. (Only Partly)
Saano S. & Taam-Ukkonen M. (2020) Lääkehoidon käsikirja. SanomaPro. (Section I) (voi olla myös uudempi painos)
Lapham R & Agar H. 2015. Drug Calculations for Nurses. A Step-by-Step Approach. Fourth Edition.
Lapham R. & Agar H. (2009) Drug calculations for nurses. A Step-by-Step approach. E-book.
Pussinen A-M. , Somerharju L. & Hannula J. (2017) Lääkelaskut ammattikorkeakouluihin. Edita.
Nikkola R., Nurkka N. & Paloposki S. (2016) Annos oivallusta. Harjoittelemalla lääkelaskennan osaajaksi. SanomaPro.
Materials in the Moodle

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Satisfactory (1–2)
You can describe the key aspects of pharmacotherapy competence required of nurses, pharmacotherapy legislation and the responsibilities and ethical principles in the pharmacotherapy process.
You can describe the key principles of pharmacotherapy and pharmacology.
You can describe a safe uninterrupted pharmacotherapy process and the importance of a pharmacotherapy plan in the implementation of a safe pharmacotherapy process, and you can name reliable pharmacotherapy databases.
Under supervision, you are able to administer drugs by the natural route and give injections subcutaneously, intramuscularly and intradermally based on evidence.
You master medical dosage calculations.

Fail: You have not achieved a satisfactory level

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Good (3–4)
You can apply the pharmacotherapy competence required of nurses, pharmacotherapy legislation and the ethical principles in the pharmacotherapy process. You can describe your responsible actions in the pharmacotherapy process.
You can describe and justify the key principles of pharmacotherapy and pharmacology.
You can describe and justify a safe uninterrupted pharmacotherapy process and the importance of a pharmacotherapy plan in the implementation of a safe pharmacotherapy process, and you identify reliable pharmacotherapy databases.
You are able to administer drugs by the natural route and give injections subcutaneously, intramuscularly and intradermally based on evidence.
You master medical dosage calculations.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent (5)
You can apply and evaluate the pharmacotherapy competence required of nurses, pharmacotherapy legislation and the ethical principles in the pharmacotherapy process. You are able to act responsibly in the pharmacotherapy process.
You can apply the key principles of pharmacotherapy and pharmacology in the pharmacotherapy process. You understand and know how to follow a safe uninterrupted pharmacotherapy process and the importance of a pharmacotherapy plan in the implementation of a safe pharmacotherapy process, and you can use reliable pharmacotherapy databases.
You are able to administer drugs by the natural route and give injections subcutaneously, intramuscularly and intradermally based on evidence and giving reasons for your actions.
You master medical dosage calculations.

Assessment methods and criteria

The grade of Medication exam forms the grade of this course. Drug calculation exam and other obligatory assignments will be evaluated approved/failed.

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

You have not achieved a satisfactory level.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

You can describe the key aspects of pharmacotherapy competence required of nurses, pharmacotherapy legislation and the responsibilities and ethical principles in the pharmacotherapy process.
You can describe the key principles of pharmacotherapy and pharmacology.
You can describe a safe uninterrupted pharmacotherapy process and the importance of a pharmacotherapy plan in the implementation of a safe pharmacotherapy process, and you can name reliable pharmacotherapy databases.
Under supervision, you are able to administer drugs by the natural route and give injections subcutaneously, intramuscularly and intradermally based on evidence.
You master medical dosage calculations.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

You can apply the pharmacotherapy competence required of nurses, pharmacotherapy legislation and the ethical principles in the pharmacotherapy process. You can describe your responsible actions in the pharmacotherapy process.
You can describe and justify the key principles of pharmacotherapy and pharmacology.
You can describe and justify a safe uninterrupted pharmacotherapy process and the importance of a pharmacotherapy plan in the implementation of a safe pharmacotherapy process, and you identify reliable pharmacotherapy databases.
You are able to administer drugs by the natural route and give injections subcutaneously, intramuscularly and intradermally based on evidence.
You master medical dosage calculations.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

You can apply and evaluate the pharmacotherapy competence required of nurses, pharmacotherapy legislation and the ethical principles in the pharmacotherapy process. You are able to act responsibly in the pharmacotherapy process.
You can apply the key principles of pharmacotherapy and pharmacology in the pharmacotherapy process. You understand and know how to follow a safe uninterrupted pharmacotherapy process and the importance of a pharmacotherapy plan in the implementation of a safe pharmacotherapy process, and you can use reliable pharmacotherapy databases.
You are able to administer drugs by the natural route and give injections subcutaneously, intramuscularly and intradermally based on evidence and giving reasons for your actions.
You master medical dosage calculations.