92609 Pharmacological Therapies in Advanced Practice
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Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): (92713 Applied Pathophysiology in Practice AND (18 credit points of completed study in a coursework Master's degree OR 18 credit points of completed study in Graduate Certificate OR 18 credit points of completed study in Graduate Certificate))
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Description
Advanced practice nurses commonly administer complex drug protocols within a multidisciplinary team approach, which requires a highly developed knowledge of pharmacology to ensure patient safety. This subject provides students with the knowledge and skills required to manage patients requiring both drug and non-drug treatment interventions within the student's specialist practice area, including administering medicines safely to clients.
Students study the actions of drugs, including pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, adverse drug reactions/interactions and how to assimilate this material to the application to patients/clients within their chosen specialty.
The subject provides opportunity for students to focus on clinical pharmacological therapies relevant to the student's specialist area of practice, evaluate the suitability of different therapies and patient's/client's response.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| A. | Identify and distinguish the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of medicines and integrate these in the prescription and management of medicines for patients / clients within their scope of practice (Nurse Practitioner Standards 2.3, 3.1) |
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| B. | Evaluate the effects of medicines on the health of the individual patient/client (Nurse Practitioner Standards 1.1, 1.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1) |
| C. | Determine the suitability of medicines in relation to starting, adjusting or ceasing them (Nurse Practitioner Standards 2.1,2.2, 2.3, 3.2) |
| D. | Evaluate research evidence in relation to the efficacy of medicines prescribed / administered within their scope of practice (Nurse Practitioner Standards 2.1, 4.1) |
| E. | Select appropriate diagnostic investigations to monitor the efficacy, effectiveness and unwanted effects of medications (Nurse Practitioner Standards 1.2, 4.1) |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:
- Are reflective critical thinkers who examine and contribute to practice, policy and research to achieve clinical excellence and enhance health outcomes (1.0)
- Are visionary, innovative and responsive leaders (2.0)
- Are socially, culturally and ethically aware and accountable when engaging with health care consumers, families/significant others, interdisciplinary teams, communities, organisations and authorities (3.0)
- Communicate effectively and professionally in diverse and dynamic situations (4.0)
- Embody the professional qualities appropriate to the scope of their role (5.0)
- Demonstrate professional cultural capability which contributes to the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians (6.0)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
- Critical thinking
- Leadership
- Accountability
- Communication
- Professional Qualities
- Indigenous Cultural Respect
Teaching and learning strategies
Learning is practice-oriented in this subject. Students are exposed to professional medication practices through dynamic and multifaceted modes of learning. During workshop days students content sessions and case studies will be used to engage and facilitate learning. Students also engage in self directed learning activities and formative assessment quizzes designed to enhance their learning experiences and provide students early formative feedback.
In addition, students learn to access and evaluate medication evidence and information in order to select the most effective and safe interventions. There is an emphasis on critical thinking and practical application of theoretical knowledge to direct patient care.
Orientation activities
Preparation for the Session - students are expected to undertake activities prior to the first week. These activities include online readings, videos, interaction with peers, and are important in helping students prepare for the subject's Assessment Tasks. This also provides students with an opportunity to meet and interact with peers. Students will learn through independent learning activities, group work, peer review, and participation in the workshops.
Independent learning activities
Relevant readings, videos and activities will be made available online relevant to the topic of the week. Students are expected to come to workshops prepared. This will enhance the students’ ability to progress successfully throughout the subject and complete assessment items effectively. The online material aims to enhance students’ understanding of the topic or delve deeper into a more specific area, compare experiences and ideas with others, and gain feedback. Information and links to all these learning activities can be accessed via Canvas as well as the subject outline.
Workshops
Workshops will provide opportunities for group activities and discussion, self-assessment, peer review and formative feedback from the subject coordinator. Students are strongly encouraged to attend the workshops as these prepare students for the subject’s Assessment Tasks.
Feedback
Feedback will be frequent and takes several forms including self-assessment, peer review, automatic feedback from interactive activities e.g. quizzes, and from the subject coordinator. Formative feedback throughout the subject aims to increase student performance at summative assessments.
Content (topics)
The content of this subject includes the study of pharmacology (i.e. pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, pharmaceutics) in relation to a range of pathophysiological processes, which will underpin planning and managing drug and non-drug treatment interventions. Specific content includes:
Core concepts in pharmacological therapies
- Pharmacokinetics: absorption, distribution, and elimination of drugs
- Pharmacodynamics: How drugs act - general principles and molecular aspects
- Pharmaceutics: formulation, routes of administration, and how these relate to the pharmacological properties of medicines
- Safety and toxicology: drug interactions, adverse drug reactions, polypharmacy, therapeutic drug monitoring
- Consideration of non-drug options as an adjunct to drug therapy
Pharmacological therapies in clinical practice
- Clinical pharmacology – systems approach, including pathophysiological processes
- Classification systems for pharmaceutical agents
- Special patient populations
- Knowledge and use of resources for practice: Australian Medicines Handbook; Therapeutic Guidelines; Australian Prescriber; NPS MedicineWise; databases; CIAP
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Workshop Quiz
| Intent: | The workshop quizzes provide opportunity for formative assessment of content covered through self-directed learning activities and workshop material. The quiz answers will be reviewed discussed within the class immediately after the quiz to provide opportunity for group discussion and for students to individually evaluate their own learning/ identify areas for further development. There will be 2 quizzes of 20 questions each during workshop days 2 and 4. Each quiz will contribute 10% towards your final mark. |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B and C This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Group, group and individually assessed |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Criteria: |
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Assessment task 2: Case Study (All students)
| Intent: | Medication management and prescribing is part of a logical deductive process based on comprehensive and objective information that involves the patient/client as a partner in management decisions. Therefore confidence in medication management and prescribing is achieved through the use of detailed knowledge of pharmacology applied to individual patients. This assessment task provides an opportunity to apply the background knowledge required for medication management and prescribing (addressed in the subject Quality Use of Medicines 98727) and explore the pharmacology and implications of medication use. The task also provides nurses with the opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge to ensure patient safety when administering medications prescribed by others. |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C and D This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 3.0 and 6.0 |
| Type: | Case study |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 50% |
| Length: | 3500 words +/- 10% (excluding references and appendices) |
Assessment task 3: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) exam (All students)
| Intent: | The Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) examination is a summative assessment, reviewing the material and concepts covered throughout the subject through self directed learning activities and workshop sessions. Following on from the in-class quizzes throughout the subject, the examination provides opportunity for the student to apply their learning to clinical and case based questions, assess their knowledge and their clinical application of:
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C, D and E This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | On campus online MCQ test |
Assessment task 4: Supernumerary Integrated Professional Practice (Nurse Practitioner only)
| Intent: | NURSE PRACTITIONER STUDENTS ONLY: This practice will be supervised and evaluated by your Clinical Support Teams. Timesheet and assessments should be completed and approved through MyClinical Placement (https://myplacement.uts.edu.au/SoniaOnline/). Assessment reflects the NMBA Nurse Practitioner Standards for Practice, 2021. |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C, D and E This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Length: | 75 hours |
Minimum requirements
- All assessment items must be completed and submitted in order to achieve a pass grade or better for the subject.
- In order to pass this subject you must obtain a minimum combined overall mark of 50%.
- Nurse Practitioner Students must also submit evidence of 75hours of supervised clinical practice, with focus on the clinical application of Pharmacological Therapies
Recommended texts
Rang, H.P & Dale, M.M. (2019). Rang and Dale's pharmacology, (9th Ed). Churchill Livingstone
(Note: Rang, H.P & Dale, M.M. 2016, Rang and Dale's pharmacology, 8th edition, Churchill Livingstone, Philadelphia is available onlien from the UTS library and is a suitable alternative to the 9th Edition)
Bryant, B.J., Knights, K.M., Darroch, S., Rowland, A. (2019). Pharmacology for health professionals (5th ed). Elsivier.
References
NPS Medicinewise, (2021). Prescribing competencies. https://www.nps.org.au/prescribing-competencies-framework.
Kocabasogh, Y.E. (1997). Guide to good prescribing: a practical manual. World Health Organization, Geneva.
Nursing and Midwifrey Board of Australia. (2021). Nurse practitioner standards for practice. https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-Statements/Professional-standards/nurse-practitioner-standards-of-practice.aspx
Online pharmacological resources:
- Australian Medicines Handbook (current version) https://amhonline-amh-net-au.ezproxy.lib.uts.edu.au/
- MIMs online (current version) https://www-mimsonline-com-au.ezproxy.lib.uts.edu.au/Search/Search.aspx
Other resources
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