Study Guide

Objectives (course unit)

The objective of the course is to develop basic knowledge of the mechanisms, interactions and adverse reactions of medicines.

After completing the course, the student
• is able to describe the general principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
• knows the most commonly used medications and medication classes in the treatment of common diseases, their action mechanisms, indications and most common side and adverse effects
• can monitor the effectiveness of the medicine
• knows key vocabulary in Finnish

Content (course unit)

• basic concepts of pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacogenetics
• adverse reactions and adverse interactions caused by medications
• the course includes introduction to antimicrobials, medications for cardiovascular diseases, medications for respiratory diseases, medications for diseases of the digestive organs, medications for type I and type II diabetes, medications for hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, allergy medications and cancer drug therapy
• special issues in the pharmacotherapy of children and the elderly
• the most common side and adverse effects and how to address and report them in Finnish

Prerequisites (course unit)

Participation in the course Pharmacotherapy and Medical Calculations.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

The student
• knows the basics of pharmacology and can define the basics concepts
• can name the therapeutic indications of medications and has some knowledge of the mechanisms of action of medication classes

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

The student
• masters the basics of pharmacology
• can define basics concepts and apply them in practice
• knows the therapeutic indications of medications and has some knowledge of the mechanisms of action of medication classes
• has some knowledge of the adverse effects and interactions of medication classes

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

The student
• masters the basics of pharmacology
• can define fundamental concepts and apply them in practice
• knows the therapeutic indications of medications and understands the mechanisms of action of the medication classes
• understands the adverse effects and interactions of medication classes
• in addition to the requirements for a good grade, demonstrates understanding of the mechanisms of action and interactions of drug classes and applies the mastered knowledge

Location and time

According to the schedule.

Exam schedules

The exam is taken in the TUNI EXAM classroom in week 17 (Mon-Fri).
Retake 1: week 19 (Mon-Fri, Exam)
Retake 2: week 21 (Mon-Fri, Exam)
The student has two (2) opportunities to retake the exam. The exam is taken via their own implementation number link.

The student has the right to increase the approved grade once and the increase takes place during the implementation retake weeks. The grade increase takes place in Exam and registration is made at least two weeks before the start of the increase period to the implementation teacher by email.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Teaching 13 hrs in Teams/Zoom as a distant teaching, or as contact (classroom) teaching according to the schedule.
Independent study 40 hrs.
Exams and retake exams are organized in the TUNI EXAM system during a specific time period (approximately one work week) according to the schedule.
Allotted time for completing the exam: 1 hr.

The course includes contact teaching and independent work by the student. Contact teaching is designed so that the lessons cover the subject area that the student has previously studied independently. A prerequisite for learning is that the student familiarizes himself with the topic of the lesson in advance, for example by studying the topic in a book and doing possible assignments. In contact teaching, the most important and difficult issues are addressed by reflecting, asking questions, and discussing.

Learning materials

Mainly lecture material.

Literature:

In Finnish:
Lääkehoidon käsikirja. Saano, S., Taam-Ukkonen, M. The newest edition. Pages specified in the preliminary assignments.

Key concepts and sources of information in drug therapy p.13-35
Drugs in the body p.205-228
Adverse effects and interactions of drugs p. 230-255
-> these are a review of Medication and drug calculations implementation

Medication of cardiovascular diseases (pp. 358-379 and 382-383)
Medication of diabetes (pp. 398-412)
Medication of thyroid diseases (pp. 667-671), treatment of allergic rhinitis (p. 607) and glucocorticoids (pp. 503-504)
Treatment of asthma and COPD (pp. 611-618)
Antimicrobial drugs (pp. 535-547 + 550-554)
Gastrointestinal drugs: hyperacidity or heartburn drugs and drug treatment of constipation and diarrhea (pp. 633-645)

Several options in English, e.g.
- Pharmacology. Battista, E.. Page, C. P., Horton-Szar, D. The newest edition.
- The Use of Drugs: Principles of Pharmacology and Therapeutics for Nurses. Modell, W., Place, D. J. The newest edition.
- Further Essentials of Pharmacology for Nurses. Barber, P., Parkes, J., Blundell, D. The newest edition.
- Illustrated Pharmacology for Nurses. Simonsen, T. The newest edition.
- Understanding pharmacology in nursing practice. Hood, P., Khan, E., Adams, J. The newest edition.

Student workload

Optional contact teaching 13 hrs.
NOTE! Attendance at the orientation lecture L1 is mandatory!
Independent study 40 hrs.
Exam 1 hr.

The course includes contact teaching and independent work by the student. Contact teaching is designed so that the lessons cover the subject area that the student has previously studied independently. A prerequisite for learning is that the student familiarizes himself with the topic of the lesson in advance, for example by studying the topic in a book and doing possible assignments. In contact teaching, the most important and difficult issues are addressed by reflecting, asking questions, and discussing.

Content scheduling

Contact lectures (L) are carried out in 90-135 min periods: Some of the topics can be found in the self-study materials.
L1: Basic concepts of pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacogenetics. Drugs for the digestive tract: hyperacidity, diarrhea, constipation, inflammatory bowel diseases.
L2: Drug treatment of diabetes: type I and type II diabetes drugs.
L3: Cardiovascular drugs: high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, heart failure, drugs that affect blood clotting, hyperlipidemia.
L4: Allergy drugs. Cortisone as a drug. Drug treatment of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
L5: Drugs for lung diseases: asthma and COPD drugs. Special issues in the pharmacotherapy of children and the elderly.
L6: Antimicrobial drugs: antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal drugs.

All the lectures cover the basics and aspects in adverse effects and adverse interactions caused by drugs in their related category.

Further information

Orientation matters will be covered in the first class (Lecture 1 (L1)), so attending the orientation is mandatory. If you have to be absent from the orientation, please contact the teacher for clarification.

The pharmacology part includes face-to-face teaching and independent work by the student. Face-to-face teaching is designed so that the class goes through the subject area that the student has previously studied. A prerequisite for learning is that the student familiarizes himself with the topic of the class in advance, for example by studying the topic from a book and doing possible assignments. Face-to-face teaching focuses on the most important and difficult issues by reflecting, asking questions and discussing.

NOTE! Distance learning is distance learning and contact/ classroom teaching is face-to-face teaching. You cannot participate classroom lectures remotely.