| Semester 1, 2023 Ipswich On-campus | |
| Units : | 1 |
| School or Department : | School of Health and Medical Sciences |
| Grading basis : | Graded |
| Course fee schedule : | /current-students/administration/fees/fee-schedules |
Staffing
Course Coordinator:
Requisites
Pre-requisite: BIO1206 and PMC1000
Overview
Clinical pharmacology is the science of chemicals (drugs) that interact with the human body. Pharmacology for Paramedics will build on the knowledge obtained. The aim of this course is for students to acquire further knowledge to enable them to make more informed clinical decisions as student and future paramedics. The course will assist students to understand the actions, reactions and interactions of medications including absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs.
This course will analyse basic principles of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, the structure and function of commonly used medications and the pharmacology of the major classes of medications that students and paramedics may encounter in paramedic practice. Students will also learn how variables such as age, size and co-morbidities affect responses to medication. Finally, students will be presented with the principles and processes aligned with the safe administration of medications.
Course learning outcomes
On completion of this course students should be able to:
- Identify the principles and processes of safe drug administration;
- Explain the actions, reactions and interactions of medications;
- Outline how medications are absorbed, distributed, metabolised and excreted;
- Establish variables that may affect how individuals respond/s to medication;
- Differentiate the function of common medications in pre-hospital care;
- Apply the relevant pharmacological and therapeutic information in the delivery of pre-hospital care.
Topics
| Description | Weighting(%) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Principles of safe drug administration | 10.00 |
| 2. | Pharmacokinetics | 20.00 |
| 3. | Pharmacodynamics | 20.00 |
| 4. | Major classes of medications | 20.00 |
| 5. |
Commonly used medications in healthcare Adverse reactions and side effects |
20.00 |
| 6. | Application of knowledge into paramedic practice | 10.00 |
Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed
Student workload expectations
To do well in this subject, students are expected to commit approximately 10 hours per week including class contact hours, independent study, and all assessment tasks. If you are undertaking additional activities, which may include placements and residential schools, the weekly workload hours may vary.
Assessment details
| Description | Group Assessment |
Weighting (%) | Course learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz | No | 20 | 2,3,5 |
| Recorded/rendered work | No | 30 | 1,2,5,6 |
| Time limited online examinatn | No | 50 | 1,4,6 |