NU 551 – Advanced Pharmacology for the Nurse Practitioner Comprehensive Course Description
NU 551 Advanced Pharmacology for the Nurse Practitioner is a core course in the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Nurse Practitioner track. This course provides an in-depth study of pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics across the lifespan. Emphasis is placed on the clinical application of pharmacologic principles to the management of acute and chronic health conditions in primary and specialty care settings. Students will develop advanced skills in medication selection, dosing, monitoring, patient education, and management of adverse drug reactions while considering individual patient factors such as age, genetics, comorbidities, pregnancy, and cultural influences.Credits: 3 credits
Prerequisites: Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Health Assessment, and completion of core MSN courses.
Format: 11-week online course with weekly discussions and progressive assignments.Course Description
This course builds upon basic pharmacology knowledge and prepares the nurse practitioner student to prescribe and manage medications safely and effectively. Students examine major drug classifications, mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses, adverse effects, drug interactions, and monitoring parameters. Special focus is given to evidence-based prescribing practices, legal and ethical considerations in prescriptive authority, patient safety, and the integration of pharmacogenomics. The course emphasizes clinical decision-making through case studies and application to common primary care conditions.Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: Apply pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles to drug selection and dosing across the lifespan.
Analyze major drug classes used in primary and specialty care.
Develop safe, evidence-based pharmacologic treatment plans for common acute and chronic conditions.
Evaluate drug interactions, adverse effects, and monitoring requirements.
Incorporate patient-specific factors (age, genetics, pregnancy, comorbidities, culture) into prescribing decisions.
Demonstrate understanding of legal, ethical, and regulatory issues related to prescriptive authority.
Weekly Topics, Discussions, and AssignmentsWeek 1: Foundations of Advanced Pharmacology Topics: Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacogenomics, principles of safe prescribing, and the role of the Nurse Practitioner in medication management.
Discussion: Discuss how pharmacogenomics influences prescribing decisions. Provide an example of a drug-gene interaction.
Assignment: Reflection paper (1–2 pages): “My Approach to Safe Prescribing as a Future Nurse Practitioner.”
Week 2: Autonomic Nervous System Pharmacology Topics: Sympathomimetics, sympatholytics, parasympathomimetics, parasympatholytics, and drugs affecting the neuromuscular junction.
Discussion: Compare the clinical use of beta-blockers versus calcium channel blockers in hypertension management.
Assignment: Drug class comparison chart + rationale for one autonomic drug in a specific patient population.
Week 3: Cardiovascular Pharmacology Topics: Antihypertensives, antiarrhythmics, heart failure medications, anticoagulants, antiplatelets, and lipid-lowering agents.
Discussion: Analyze the pharmacologic management of a patient with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).
Assignment: Case study analysis – Develop a pharmacologic treatment plan for a patient with hypertension and dyslipidemia.
Week 4: Respiratory and Allergic Disorders Pharmacology Topics: Bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids, antihistamines, leukotriene modifiers, and monoclonal antibodies for asthma/allergies.
Discussion: Discuss the stepwise pharmacologic management of asthma according to current guidelines.
Assignment: Asthma or COPD pharmacologic management plan with patient education component.
Week 5: Endocrine Pharmacology Topics: Diabetes medications (insulin, oral agents, GLP-1 agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors), thyroid agents, corticosteroids, and osteoporosis treatments.
Discussion: Compare the mechanisms and indications of metformin versus SGLT2 inhibitors in Type 2 diabetes.
Assignment: Comprehensive pharmacologic plan for a patient with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes.
Week 6: Infectious Disease Pharmacology Topics: Antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, antiparasitics, and principles of antimicrobial stewardship.
Discussion: Discuss the role of the NP in combating antibiotic resistance. Include one stewardship strategy.
Assignment: Antibiotic selection case study with justification and monitoring plan.
Week 7: Pain Management and Psychopharmacology Topics: Opioids, non-opioid analgesics, NSAIDs, antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, and mood stabilizers.
Discussion: Analyze the risks versus benefits of long-term opioid therapy versus alternative pain management strategies.
Assignment: Pain management or mental health pharmacologic treatment plan with risk mitigation.
Week 8: Gastrointestinal and Renal Pharmacology Topics: Acid-suppressing agents, antiemetics, laxatives, diuretics, and medications for chronic kidney disease.
Discussion: How do ACE inhibitors and ARBs provide renal protection in diabetic patients?
Assignment: Pharmacologic management plan for a patient with GERD and/or CKD.
Week 9: Women’s and Men’s Health Pharmacology Topics: Hormonal contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, medications for erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and osteoporosis.
Discussion: Discuss the risks and benefits of combined oral contraceptives versus progestin-only options.
Assignment: Contraceptive or men’s health case study with patient education.
Week 10: Special Populations Pharmacology Topics: Pediatric and geriatric pharmacology, pregnancy and lactation considerations, and pharmacotherapy in diverse cultural populations.
Discussion: How does age-related physiologic change affect drug dosing in older adults? Provide examples.
Assignment: Medication reconciliation and adjustment plan for a geriatric or pediatric patient.
Week 11: Course Synthesis, Legal/Ethical Issues, and Prescriptive Authority Topics: Legal and ethical aspects of prescriptive authority, controlled substance regulations, DEA registration, and professional liability.
Discussion: Final reflection: How has this course prepared you for safe and effective prescribing as a Nurse Practitioner?
Assignment: Final Project – Comprehensive Pharmacologic Management Plan (5–7 pages) for a complex patient case integrating multiple body systems, patient-specific factors, monitoring, and patient education.
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