General provisions

The course is theoretical and is included in the Specialist nursing programme with focus on district nurse.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student will be able to

1. define and apply general and specific pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics in relation to pregnancy, breast feeding children, adults and older people

2. account for drug dosage, drug interactions and side effects related to age and specific conditions for the drugs that are included in the prescription jurisdiction for the district nurse

3. account for laws and statutes regarding prescription of drugs and consumables to patients with specific diseases

4. analyse, independently assess and handle complex issues and situations based on evidence-based knowledge of various diseases and pharmacological treatment

5. prescribe drugs and consumer goods patient safe and in accordance with regulatory frameworks and guidelines

6. analyse and reflect on the importance of protecting the autonomy and integrity of the patient and from an intersectional perspective reflect on how socio economicsand different grounds of discrimination may interact and affect prescription and application of drugs and consumables

7. identify and problematise social economic, national, international and environmental aspects of drug usage

8. account for strategies for quality development in the field of knowledge

9. evaluate and apply new knowledge and research results in the field of knowledge as well as profession ethical and research ethical principles.

Content

Medical Science

• Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, administration and dosage forms, side-effects and registration of side-effects, drug addiction, drug interaction, compliance to drug treatment, pharmaco-epidemiology
• Assessment of symptoms, signs and pathophysiology and pharmacological treatment, children and drugs, older people and drugs, natural remedies
• Statutes and laws in the field
• Prescription and prescription jurisdiction according to The National Board of Health and Welfare's ordinance on competence requirements for nurses in drug description
• Prescription of consumables in diabetes- incontinence- and ostomy care.
• Influencing factors on drug treatment
• Medical records management, documentation, economical aspects of drug prescription
• Strategies for quality development, ethical and research ethical principles