2010-2011 CATALOG

This is an archived copy of the 2010-2011 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.miracosta.edu

Pharmacology

The Nursing and Allied Health Department offers pharmacology courses as part of the Nursing Program.

Contact Information

Department Chair: Susan Roberts

Dean: Sandy Comstock

www.miracosta.edu/PHAR

Department: Nursing and Alllied Health

Office: Building T420, (760) 795-6841

How to Read Course Descriptions

Courses listed in this catalog apply to the fall 2010, spring 2011, and summer 2011 terms. Courses are numbered numerically within alphabetically arranged subject areas.

The bolded first line indicates the official course number, a descriptive title, and the number of units. The next lines indicate prerequisites, corequisites, advisories, repeatability rules, enrollment limitations, UC/CSU credit acceptance, and lecture and lab hours followed by a Taxonomy of Program number in parentheses.

Prerequisites: This is a requirement that must be met before a student can enroll in the course.
Corequisites: This is a course the student must take in the same semester.
Advisories: This is recommended preparation the student is advised but not required to have before or in conjunction with the course.
Repeatability Rules: When a course belongs to a group of related courses, students can complete one course or a combination of courses within the group for a maximum of four completions.
Enrollment Limitations: Some courses place limitations on enrollment. These limitations prevent students from duplicating course work or from enrolling in two sections of the same course in any given semester.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU means the course is accepted for transfer at any California State University (CSU) campus; UC means it is accepted for transfer at any University of California (UC) campus. Some courses can be used to satisfy general education or major requirements while others transfer as elective credit. UC Credit Limitation means credit for the course may have UC transfer restrictions; these restrictions are identified at the end of the course description.
Lecture and Lab Hours: These are the number of hours the course meets for lecture and/or lab per week.
Taxonomy of Program (TOP) Number: The TOP number is identified in parentheses after the lecture and lab hours. This number serves an administrative purpose and is not intended for student use.

The course description summarizes the purpose and key topical areas of the course, and it includes special requirements if any exist. Some course descriptions end with information about whether the course was "formerly" another course, how many times the course may be repeated, if the course is offered pass/no pass, or what the UC credit limitation is.

How to Read Course Descriptions

Courses

PHAR 100: Basic Pharmacology--Dosages and Calculations

Units: 3
Prerequisites: MATH 820 or MATH 820B or qualification through the Math Competency Exam or approved equivalent.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 3 hours. (1230.20)

This course introduces important concepts, methods, and principles of administering medications. Topics covered include drug action and drug interaction, drug classifications, terminology, pertinent abbreviations, legalities, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics, as well as problem solving for accurate measurement of medications using the apothecary and metric systems, conversion of these systems, ratio, proportion, and other formulas. (Formerly PHAR 951.)

PHAR 150: Pathopharmacology I

Units: 2
Prerequisites: Admission into the RN program.
Corequisite: NURS 180 and NURS 181 (ADN).
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 2 hours. (1221.00)

This introductory course presents the basic knowledge required for safe, legal, and ethical medication administration including dosage calculation. It emphasizes the nurse's role and individual accountability in pharmacologic therapy. Topics include mechanisms of action, indications, absorption, metabolism, distribution, and elimination in relation to pathophysiology of the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, integumentary, sensory, and other selected systems. Portions of this course may be presented in an online format.

PHAR 151: Pathopharmacology II

Units: 2
Prerequisites: PHAR 150 (ADN).
Corequisite: NURS 182 and NURS 183 (ADN).
Lecture 2 hours. (1221.00)

This course continues the study and application of pharmacological therapy in nursing and emphasizes safety as a primary nursing responsibility. It highlights mechanisms of action, indications, absorption, metabolism, distribution, and elimination in relation to pathophysiology of the reproductive, endocrine, respiratory, immune, and other selected systems. Topics include how growth, development, and cultural factors influence drug therapy. The course emphasizes patient/family education in medication management as well as legal and ethical issues related to medication administration. Portions of this course may be presented in an online format.

PHAR 201: Pharmacology Review & Update

Units: 2
Prerequisites: NURS 280.
Enrollment Limitation: Not open to students with credit in PHAR 151.
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 2 hours. (1221.00)

This course reviews pharmacology principles, safe medication administration, and dosage calculations. It emphasizes therapeutic drug use in relation to health problems and updates information regarding drug classifications and prototype agents.