Module Code - Title:
NM4022
-
PHARMACOLOGY FOR NURSES AND MIDWIVES
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
The purpose of this module is to provide the student with knowledge and understanding of the principles of pharmacology and the role of the nurse and midwife in safe medication management.
Syllabus:
Pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, Drug groups and their application to nursing and midwifery management of patients/clients across healthcare settings.
Pharmacodynamics; legal, regulatory, ethical considerations, guidelines and policies, drug development, generic medications and sources of medication information; Medication classifications, indications, mechanism of action, therapeutic application and monitoring; drug interactions, adverse effects. The role of health professionals in medication management. Self-medication - medication concordance.
Clinical skills:
Principles of safe medication administration applied to national and local medication guidelines
Medication administration routes and techniques
Medication calculations
Preparation and care of the patient/ service user receiving intravenous therapy
Introduction to transfusions of blood and blood products.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
Explain the principles that underpin safe nursing and midwifery medication management.
Describe the medication classifications as they relate to nursing and midwifery practice.
Discuss the nurses and midwives role in preparing patients/clients for self-management of their medication.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
Value the legal and ethical issues that underpin nursing and midwifery practice in medication management.
Display a professional commitment to safe medication management.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
Demonstrate the safe administration of prescribed medicines to patients/clients.
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
The student shall participate in a positive learning experience through engagement with a variety of teaching and learning strategies e.g. lectures, clinical skills laboratories, discussions, group work, self-directed learning, recommended reading, seminars, case, audio-visual sessions, including the use of the virtual learning environment. As a result of gaining an understanding of pharmacology and its application to nursing and midwifery practice the students will become more knowledgeable, collaborative and responsible in relation to their role in medication management.
The module will reflect the most recent evidence and incorporate relevant healthcare policy. Students will be expected to demonstrate an awareness of how research findings impact on medication management in nursing and midwifery practice.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Clayton, B.D., Stock, Y.N. and Cooper, S.E (2009)
Basic pharmacology for nursing, 15th ed.
, Edinburgh: Elsevier.
Jordan, S. (2010)
Pharmacology for midwives: The evidence base for safe practice, 2nd ed.
, Basingstoke: Palgrave.
Taylor, D., Paton, C., Kapur, S. (2012)
The Maudsley prescribing guidelines in psychiatry, 11th ed.
, Chichester: Wiley- Blackwell.
Other Relevant Texts:
British Medical Association and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (2012)
The British National Formulary 69, 69th ed.
, London: Pharmaceutical Press.
Neal, M.J. (2009)
Medical pharmacology at a glance, 6th ed.
, Oxford: Wiley Blackwell.
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
BSMIDWUFA - MIDWIFERY
BSNUGEUFA - NURSING (GENERAL)
BSNUIDUFA - NURSING (INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY)
BSNUMHUFA - NURSING (MENTAL HEALTH)
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Autumn
Module Leader:
Michele.Burke@ul.ie