SYKK1300 Pharmacology and Administration of Medicine Course description

This course introduces students to basic pharmacology, drug administration and drug calculation. They will learn about the connection between drug administration and patient safety and about the accuracy requirements that apply to working with drugs. This is an introductory course in pharmacology and drug administration, and the theme will be continued in the second and third years of study.

Admission to the programme.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The student is capable of

• describing different types of medication, administration methods, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
• describing interactions and side effects of the use of selected drugs
• describing different reasons for variations in the response to drugs
• describing generic drug substitution and applying the Norwegian Medicines Agency's substitution list or local substitution list
• describing the procedure for handling drugs from the drug is prescribed until the patient has taken it or it has been disposed of
• referring to relevant legislation and regulations for the use of drugs, including guidelines for documentation, handling of non-conformities and disposal
• giving an account of the risk of addiction and abuse of drugs

SkillsThe student is capable of

• carrying out independent and faultless calculations of drug dosages, quantities and strengths using different methods of administration
• assessing and checking their own and other people’s calculations
• using reference works such as Felleskatalogen and Legemiddelhåndboka

CompetenceThe student is capable of

• planning and carrying out responsible drug administration and quality assuring the individual patient’s use of drugs

Self-study, lectures, work on assignments in the digital platform Bokskapet supervised by the lecturer, practical assignments in drug calculations and simulation, student-led calculations training in groups with workbooks, games and interactive courses about drug calculations and drug administration.

The following must have been completed and approved in order for a student to take the exam:

• Participation at the seminars. Compulsory attendance of 80% at seminars
• Simulation in drug administrations, reflection assignment based on the simulation with a scope of 1,000 words (+/- 10%).
• Multiple choice assignment, qualifying arithmetic problems (100% correct) in the form of multiple choice questions within a set time before the exam. If the coursework is not approved after the third attempt, the student will be withdrawn from the exam.

Supervised individual written national exam

• In drug calculations
• 3 hours
• To pass the exam, the student must submit a faultless answer paper

Calculator handed out by the university.

The course forms the basis for the nurse’s observation and assessment skills. An understanding of normality is necessary in order to observe and assess abnormalities. This course allows the student to acquire knowledge of the human being's composition and functions and the biochemical processes that influence the body.

Admission to the programme.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The student is capable of

• naming anatomical structures and organs in the human body
• describing where organs are located in relation to each other
• describing anatomical structure in terms of
  • macroanatomical: organs and organ systems
  • microanatomical: cells and tissues
• describing the function of different organs and organ systems in the body
• describing normal physiology in the various organs and organ systems
• describing regulation mechanisms and homoeostasis in a healthy body

Skills

The student

• is capable of disseminating basic knowledge of human anatomy and organ systems and of physiological and biochemical processes

Competence

The student

• recognises the importance of knowledge of the topic for practising professional nursing