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Pharmacology
PHARM103 | 3 Credits
Pharmacology is the study of drugs and all the therapeutic and adverse effects they can have on the body. In addition to the basic operation of several major body systems, you’ll learn more about the endocrine and immune systems, along with what drugs are used to treat different health conditions.
Professor: Dr. L
About Pharmacology
What You’ll Learn
This online Pharmacology course introduces you to pharmacology as the study of drugs. To start, you will be provided with an explanation of therapeutic and adverse effects, in addition to the basic operation of the nervous system. Several major body systems are covered during our Pharmacology course, including the cardiovascular, urinary, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and reproductive systems, with particular emphasis on the endocrine and immune systems.
- Relate drug terminology to their appropriate definitions, and analyze aspects of drug actions, effects, interactions, and individual responses.
- Solve dosage calculation problems involving fractions, decimals, percents, ratios, proportions and using the metric, apothecary, and household measurement systems.
- Evaluate the contribution of nutrients towards maintaining normal body function, and explain nutrition deficiency, drug and supplement interaction, and effects of supplement overdose.
- Describe brain structure and functioning; examine the functioning of the sympathetic, parasympathetic, and autonomic nervous systems; and how drugs increase or decrease their activities.
- Compare and contrast general and local anesthetics with reference to their routes of administration, mechanisms of action, effects, and adverse effects.
- Evaluate the contribution of muscle relaxants, opioid, and non-opioid analgesics towards relieving pain and reducing inflammation, and assess their effects and adverse effects.
- Analyze the various types of mental disorders and evaluate the effects of antipsychotic, antianxiety, antidepressant, antimanic, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, hypnotic and psychotomimetic drugs; examine the potential for abuse.
- Describe the normal cardiac cycle, common cardiac conditions, and drugs used to treat cardiac arrhythmias, angina pectoris, congestive heart failure and high blood pressure.
- Explain the mechanisms of action of coagulants and anticoagulants, causes and treatment of anemia, the mechanisms and actions of the various hypolipidemic drugs, and their adverse effects.
- Analyze the structure and function of the kidneys, their effect on other body systems, and the actions and side effects of diuretics.
- Relate the nature of allergic reactions to the use of antiallergic and antihistamine drugs, and explain the actions of drugs used to treat respiratory diseases.
- Examine the actions, adverse effects, and interactions of drugs used to treat hyperacidity, gastroesophageal reflux disease, vomiting, ulcers, simple diarrhea, and laxatives and cathartics.
- List and explain clinical indications and contraindications, administration, and drug interactions of growth hormones, thyroid hormones, and adrenal steroids.
- Relate the action of insulin and glucagon to the treatment of diabetes, and explain the aspects of drug administration including adverse effects, contraindications, and drug interactions.
- Explain how antiseptics and disinfectants work to prevent infection; the actions of antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antiparasitic, and antiviral drugs in fighting infections; and their adverse effects, contraindications, and interactions.
- Describe the characteristics and types of cancer, as well as the actions and effects of drugs used to treat them.
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WANT US TO CHECK?Course Details
Learn about the drugs that are used to treat various health conditions with respect to their mechanism of action, therapeutic effects, and adverse effects. Topics include muscle relaxants, anesthetics, pain medication, and psychoactive medications.
ACE-Recommended
ACE Code:
OOSL-0101
Flexible Schedule
30-day Average Course Completion
Healthcare Courses Have Transferred 43,400 Times
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Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Course Text
The required eTextbook for this course is included with your course purchase at no additional cost.
- Hitner, Henry, et al. Pharmacology: An Introduction. 8th ed., McGraw-Hill Education, 2022.
Course Checkpoints
Introduction to Pharmacology
- Basics of Pharmacology
- Drug Terminology
- Drug Effects
- Drug Actions
- Drug Response
- Individual Variability and Drug Interaction
- Drug Dependence and Abuse
- Pediatric Pharmacology
- Geriatric Pharmacology
Dosage Calculations
- Fractions, Decimals, and Percents
- Systems of Measurement
- Ratios and Proportions
- Solutions and IV
The Nervous System
- Autonomic Nervous System Functioning
- Parasympathetic Stimulation
- Central Nervous System Structure
- Organ Function Effects of Drugs on the Sympathetic Nervous System
- Effects of Drugs on the Parasympathetic Nervous System
- Effects of Drugs on the Autonomic Ganglia
Psychological Disorders and Drugs
- Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs
- Psychotomimetic Drugs
- Mental Disorders
- Antipsychotic Drugs
- Antianxiety Drugs
- Antidepressants
- Antimanic Drugs
Common Pain Relief Agents
- Muscle Activity
- Muscle Relaxants
- General Anesthetics
- Local Anesthetics
- Administration
- Excretion
- Side Effects and Adverse Effects
- Effects of Opioid Analgesics
- Other Effects of Opioid Analgesics
- Adverse Effects and Drug Interactions
- Nonopioid Analgesics
- Inflammation
- Gout
Cardiac Function, Disorders, and Blood Pressure
- Heart Structure and Function
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Blood Pressure and Hypertension
- Drugs Used to Treat Congestive Heart Failure and Hypertension
- Cardiac Arrhythmia
- Angina Pectoris
Blood Clotting, Anemia, and Lipids
- Anticoagulants and Coagulants
- Anemia
- Lipids
Respiratory System
- Allergies and Respiratory Diseases
- Drugs Used to Treat Allergies and Respiratory Diseases
- Respiratory Immunology
Gastrointestinal Disorders and Intestinal Motility
- Digestion
- Drugs Used to Treat Digestive Disorders
- Intestinal Motility Disorders
Endocrine System and Steroids
- Hormones
- Growth Hormone
- Adrenal Steroids
- Adrenal Steroids as Drugs
- Thyroid Hormones
- Parathyroid Hormone and Other Factors that Influence Calcium
Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands
- Thyroid Hormones
- Parathyroid Hormone and Other Factors that Influence Calcium
Pancreatic Hormones
- Diabetes
- Drug Therapy
Hormones and Reproduction
- Female Sex Hormones
- Labor and Breastfeeding
- Male Sex Hormones
Viral, Bacterial, and Fungal Pharmacology
- Antiseptics and Disinfectants
- Antibacterial Drugs
- Antifungal Drugs
- Viral Diseases and Antiviral Drugs
- Antibacterial Agents
Parasitic Infection and Wound Pharmacology
- Protozoal Infections
- Helminthic Infections
- Antiseptics and Disinfectants
Cancer and Immune Pharmacology
- Types of Cancer
- Drug Therapy
- Adverse Effects
- Immune System
- Drug Actions
Nutrition, Fluids, and Diuretics
- Nutrients
- Deficiency
- Adverse Effects
- Kidney Function
- Diuretics
Assignments & Grading
Your score provides a percentage score and letter grade for each course. A passing percentage is 70% or higher.
Assignments for this course include:
- 4 Graded Exams
- 1 Midterm Exam
- 1 Graded Final Exam
This course has an open book proctored Final Exam. Scientific and/or graphing calculators are allowed throughout the course.
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- Web browser
- Basic computer skills
- Any required course materials
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Course Professor
Dr. L
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Pharmacology & Your Healthcare Career
Pharmacology is the science that unlocks how medications work in the body. The information you learn will be super valuable whether you’re preparing to become a nurse, medical assistant, physical therapist, or another healthcare professional, this course provides the knowledge and confidence to excel in your field.
Why it matters:
- Healthcare continues to grow fast and is expected to add 1.8 million new jobs from 2022 to 2032.
- An understanding of pharmacology is key to safe and effective medication use.
In-demand careers in this field include:
Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, Physical Therapist Assistant, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Medical Assistant, Radiologic Technologist, Surgical Technologist, and Paramedic/EMT
How this course sets you up for success:
From understanding drug actions to supporting patient safety, pharmacology is an important part of any healthcare journey. Start building your future today.
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