NR-567: Advanced Pharmacology for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Introduction

Pharmacology is a critical component of healthcare and plays a significant role in the treatment and management of acute and chronic illnesses. The advanced pharmacology course, NR-567, is designed to provide Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (AGACNPs) with advanced knowledge and skills necessary to provide safe and effective pharmacological management of complex acute and chronic health conditions in adults and older adults.

This article provides an overview of the NR-567 course content, including its learning objectives, course outline, and the skills that AGACNPs will acquire upon completing the course.

Learning Objectives

The primary objective of NR-567 is to provide AGACNPs with a comprehensive understanding of the principles of pharmacology and the pharmacological management of acute and chronic health conditions in adults and older adults. Upon completion of the course, AGACNPs will be able to:

1. Evaluate medication regimens and develop pharmacological treatment plans for patients with acute and chronic illnesses

AGACNPs will acquire knowledge and skills to assess patient health status and develop individualized pharmacological treatment plans based on the patient’s medical history, physical examination findings, and diagnostic test results. They will learn to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and potential drug interactions of medication regimens used in the treatment of complex health conditions.

2. Monitor and adjust medication regimens to achieve therapeutic outcomes

AGACNPs will learn to monitor patients’ response to pharmacological treatments, interpret laboratory and diagnostic test results, and adjust medication regimens to achieve therapeutic outcomes. They will acquire skills in drug titration, dose adjustments, and switching between medications to optimize the effectiveness of pharmacological treatments while minimizing adverse effects.

3. Apply pharmacological principles to the management of acute and chronic illnesses in adults and older adults

AGACNPs will develop a comprehensive understanding of the pharmacological principles of drug action, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacogenomics. They will learn to apply these principles to the management of acute and chronic illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, infectious diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, neurologic disorders, endocrine disorders, and oncologic disorders.

Course Outline

The NR-567 course comprises 14 units, each focusing on a specific aspect of pharmacology and pharmacological management. The course units include:

1. Introduction to pharmacology

This unit provides an overview of the principles of pharmacology, including drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination. It also introduces pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic concepts and the role of pharmacogenomics in drug therapy.

2. Cardiovascular pharmacology

This unit focuses on the pharmacological management of cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, heart failure, dyslipidemia, and arrhythmias. It covers the mechanisms of action, indications, dosing, and adverse effects of drugs commonly used in the treatment of these conditions.

3. Respiratory pharmacology

This unit covers the pharmacological management of respiratory diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pneumonia. It discusses the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and adverse effects of drugs used in the treatment of these conditions.

4. Infectious disease pharmacology

This unit covers the pharmacological management of infectious diseases, including bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections. It discusses the mechanism of action, indications, dosing, and adverse effects of antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitic drugs commonly used in the treatment of

these infections.

5. Gastrointestinal pharmacology

This unit covers the pharmacological management of gastrointestinal disorders, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It discusses the mechanism of action, indications, dosing, and adverse effects of drugs used in the treatment of these conditions.

6. Neurologic pharmacology

This unit covers the pharmacological management of neurologic disorders, including seizures, migraine headaches, and Parkinson’s disease. It discusses the mechanism of action, indications, dosing, and adverse effects of drugs commonly used in the treatment of these conditions.

7. Endocrine pharmacology

This unit covers the pharmacological management of endocrine disorders, including diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, and adrenal disorders. It discusses the mechanism of action, indications, dosing, and adverse effects of drugs used in the treatment of these conditions.

8. Oncologic pharmacology

This unit covers the pharmacological management of cancer, including chemotherapy and targeted therapy. It discusses the mechanism of action, indications, dosing, and adverse effects of drugs commonly used in the treatment of cancer.

9. Pain management pharmacology

This unit covers the pharmacological management of acute and chronic pain, including non-opioid analgesics, opioids, and adjuvant medications. It discusses the mechanism of action, indications, dosing, and adverse effects of drugs commonly used in the treatment of pain.

10. Psychiatric pharmacology

This unit covers the pharmacological management of psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. It discusses the mechanism of action, indications, dosing, and adverse effects of drugs commonly used in the treatment of these conditions.

11. Substance abuse pharmacology

This unit covers the pharmacological management of substance abuse disorders, including alcohol, opioids, and nicotine. It discusses the mechanism of action, indications, dosing, and adverse effects of drugs commonly used in the treatment of these disorders.

12. Geriatric pharmacology

This unit covers the pharmacological management of health conditions specific to older adults, including polypharmacy, medication management in the elderly, and geriatric syndromes. It discusses the unique pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes that occur with aging and their implications for drug therapy.

13. Pharmacology in special populations

This unit covers the pharmacological management of health conditions in special populations, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, pediatric patients, and patients with renal or hepatic impairment. It discusses the special considerations for drug therapy in these populations.

14. Pharmacoeconomics and medication safety

This unit covers the pharmacoeconomic considerations of drug therapy, including cost-effectiveness, reimbursement, and drug formulary management. It also discusses medication safety, including adverse drug reactions, medication errors, and strategies to prevent medication-related harm.

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Skills Acquired

Upon completion of the NR-567 course, AGACNPs will acquire advanced pharmacology knowledge and skills to provide safe and effective pharmacological management of complex acute and chronic health conditions in adults and older adults. They will be able to:

• Evaluate medication regimens and develop pharmacological treatment plans for patients with acute and chronic illnesses
• Monitor and adjust medication regimens to achieve therapeutic outcomes
• Apply pharmacological principles to the management of acute and chronic illnesses in adults and older adults
• Identify and manage adverse drug reactions and drug interactions
• Assess the pharmacoeconomic considerations of drug therapy and develop medication management plans that balance efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness

• Use evidence-based guidelines to inform pharmacological treatment decisions
• Implement strategies to prevent medication-related harm, including medication errors and adverse drug reactions
• Communicate effectively with patients, families, and interdisciplinary healthcare teams about medication management plans and treatment goals
• Continuously evaluate and update pharmacological treatment plans based on patient response and changes in health status.

Conclusion

NR-567 is an essential course for AGACNPs, providing advanced pharmacology knowledge and skills necessary to provide safe and effective pharmacological management of complex acute and chronic health conditions in adults and older adults. The course covers a broad range of topics, including cardiovascular, respiratory, infectious disease, gastrointestinal, neurologic, endocrine, oncologic, pain management, psychiatric, substance abuse, geriatric, and pharmacoeconomic considerations of drug therapy. Upon completion of the course, AGACNPs will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to evaluate medication regimens, develop pharmacological treatment plans, monitor and adjust medication regimens, identify and manage adverse drug reactions and drug interactions, use evidence-based guidelines to inform treatment decisions, and communicate effectively with patients, families, and interdisciplinary healthcare teams about medication management plans and treatment goals. They will also be able to implement strategies to prevent medication-related harm and continuously evaluate and update pharmacological treatment plans based on patient response and changes in health status.