1. Approved 5/2014
Faculty Approved 9/19/2014
Nursing 336 - Pharmacology I
The College of Nursing will build upon its tradition of developing caring
and scholarly nurse leaders who positively impact contemporary and future health care.
Credits: 2
Placement: Junior I
Pre/Co- requisites: Successful completion of Nursing 212 or consent of department.
Course Description:
This course focuses on pharmacologic interventions in nursing including the related nursing
responsibilities. This course provides an overview of the clinical application of classifications of
drugs on human systems. The use, action, response, side effects and adverse reactions for
selected major drug classifications will be presented to correlate with Adult I and
Pathophysiology.
Objectives:
1. Accurately calculate drug dosages involving intravenous drugs.
2. Appreciate the role of pharmacotherapeutics in treatment of disease.
3. Describe the role of the nurse in drug administration.
4. Describe biopsychosocial considerations for drug therapy.
5. Describe taxonomy(ies) of classifications of drugs.
6. Explain pharmacotherapeutic use of selected drug classifications.
7. Identify side effects and adverse reactions to selected drug classifications.
Communication:
In all interactions the student is expected to demonstrate the values of professional nursing
(altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity and social justice) as outlined in the AACN
Essentials of Baccalaureate Nursing. All communication with students will be via UW Oshkosh
email addresses; email should be checked a minimum of daily Monday through Friday. Faculty
responses can be expected within forty-eight hours Monday through Friday.
Attendance/Participation:
Students are expected to be active participants in each course session which may include
classroom, laboratory, online, simulation, clinical, and/or activities. Each activity is an integral
part of each student’s education. Students are expected to be present and punctual for all
scheduled course sessions. Students should not schedule appointments or any other commitments
during course hours. The faculty member will determine what constitutes excessive absenteeism
and will inform students about expectations at the beginning of the course. Students are required

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Faculty Approved 9/19/2014
to communicate with faculty about an absence prior to the course session that will be missed. It
is the student’s responsibility to contact the faculty to arrange any make-up work required.
Excessive absences may warrant the student to withdraw from the course, earn an incomplete
grade, or earn a failing grade. (See the University and College of Nursing attendance policies in
the student handbooks.)
Academic Integrity:
The College of Nursing follows University Policy in matters relating to academic dishonesty
(e.g. plagiarism, cheating on exams, etc.). A copy of the University Policy is available in the
office of the Dean of Students, Dempsey Hall. To view UW Oshkosh Student Discipline code,
visit the Dean of Students website.
Early Alert:
Early Alert is a program that provides students with an Early Grade Report from faculty. Early
Grade Reports will indicate academic performance or attendance issues, specific steps to take,
and resources available to facilitate improvement. It is common for students to be unaware or
over-estimate their academic performance in classes so this process helps students to become
aware early on about progress and to learn strategies for success in the classroom. Students will
receive an email during the 5th
week of classes. It is important to read the entire email carefully.
Please note that some faculty do not use the Early Alert system; it is the student’s responsibility
to be aware of one’s own course grades.
e-Portfolio:
As students proceed through courses at UW Oshkosh, artifacts documenting learning will be
maintained in an ePortfolio. The ePortfolio can be found in D2L. The ePortfolio enables students
to keep track of papers, speeches, reports, projects, and other assignments in Quest, Explore, and
other courses, so that learning progress and the connecting ideas across different classes is
documented. In the CONNECT course, students can use collected artifacts to create a digital
story of one’s learning journey at UW Oshkosh. Students continue to use the portfolio in major
classes as a foundation for the Capstone course or experience near graduation. The ePortfolio
may be used after graduation to show evidence of learning to prospective employers or graduate
schools. In the EXPLORE course (and all USP courses), a specific assignment may be
designated as a requirement to be uploaded into the ePortfolio.
Disability Services:
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for
students with disabilities. Please contact Disability Services in the Dean of Students Office, 125
Dempsey Hall, 424-3100 [Voice], 424-1319 [TTY] for the University’s accommodation request
form and documentation requirements. Information related to an individual’s accommodation
request and/or arrangements will be confidential and will be shared with relevant University
personnel or offices on a “need-to-know” basis. Students are responsible to share
accommodations with faculty in each course.

3. Approved 5/2014
Faculty Approved 9/19/2014
Textbooks:
See the UW Oshkosh “University Books & More” website. The College of Nursing orders
specific and unique textbook packages or bundles which often include internet access codes,
therefore, it is essential that these are purchased through the “University Books or More” store
located in Reeve Memorial Union.
Evaluation:
Evaluation will be based upon students’ attainment of course objectives. Grades are assigned
according to the College of Nursing Grading Policy found in the Student Policies and Procedures
Handbook. Standardized tests may also be used. When used, students must pass the standardized
test at a score established by the College of Nursing to successfully complete the course.
Grading Policy:
The following scale is used by the College of Nursing when grading. Students must earn a grade
of C or better to pass a theory or clinical course. The norm at the University of Wisconsin
Oshkosh is to round up when the final grade percentage is at .5 level or higher. The
Undergraduate Program Committee in the College of Nursing endorses this grading practice.
A = 94 -100
A- = 91 - 93
B+ = 89 - 90
B = 86 - 88
B- = 83 - 85
C+ = 80 - 82
C = 77 - 79
C- = 74 - 76
D+ = 71 - 73
D = 68 - 70
D- = 65 - 67
F = 64 and below
A grade of C or higher is required to pass all undergraduate courses and to progress in the
program.
Instructional Methods:
Methods of teaching-learning will be implemented in the classroom setting that foster interactive
learning. Students will be expected to be prepared to discuss, interact in small group exercises,
presentations, and active learning. Computer simulations and programmed learning modules
may also be used. Application of the knowledge will be expected in the clinical courses in the
nursing program.
Topical Outline
I. Calculation and Administration Principles
A. Calculations for various routes of administration: Intravenous, oral, inhalation,
topically, parenteral
B. Systems of measurement

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II. Basic Pharmacologic Principles
A. Pharmaceutical, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamic phases of drug action
B. Drug interactions
C. Drug toxicity
D. Environmental hazards & poisons
III. Nurse's Role in Pharmacology
A. Safety
B. Legal and ethical issues
C. Drug approval process
IV. Biopsychosocial Considerations for Drug Therapy
A. Pharmacotherapeutics for the geriatric patient
B. Teaching, learning and evaluation strategies with ethnic/cultural considerations
V. Drug Taxonomy (ies)
A. Sources of Drug Information
1. Pharmacopeias
2. Drug indexes
3. Product information
4. Sales & Distribution information
B. Classifications
1. Over-the counter drugs
2. Prescription drugs
3. Controlled drugs
C. Classification based on action on body system
VI. Pharmacotherapeutics of Selected Categories
A. Diagnostic and Nutritional Agents
1. Drugs used in diagnostic testing
2. Intravenous therapy
B. Nervous System
1. Pain relief
2. Anesthesia
C. Cardiovascular System
1. Heart Failure agents
2. Antihypertensive agents (beta blockers, ACE inhibitors)
3. Antilipid agents
4. Anticoagulants
D. Urinary System
1. Diuretics
E. Respiratory System
1. Agents used to treat bronchial obstruction
F. Endocrine System
1. Antidiabetic agents
G. Immune System
1. Antiinflammatory agents
2. Anti-infective agents