Introduction To Pharmacology For The Health Sciences

Fundamentals of pharmacology for nursing and health science students and professionals.

What you'll learn

Understand foundational pharmacology concepts essential for safe and effective medication administration in clinical practice.

Identify how medications influence physiological and pathophysiological processes across different body systems.

Explain considerations and implications of medication use and administration across the lifespan.

Identify the classifications and actions of antimicrobial and anti-infective medications.

Identify the classifications and actions of autonomic nervous system medications.

Identify the classifications and actions of respiratory medications.

Identify the classifications and actions of cardiovascular and renal system medications.

Identify the classifications and actions of medications regulating gastrointestinal elimination.

Identify the classifications and actions of medications used to regulate the central nervous system (CNS), mood, and cognition.

Identify the classifications and actions of endocrine system medications.

Identify the classifications and actions of medications related to pain and mobility.

Requirements

This course will review relevant concepts related to human anatomy and physiology. In addition, this course will also introduce learners to medical terminology.

Description

This course is tailored to meet the needs of nursing students, nursing professionals, allied health professionals, and students in the health sciences, including those preparing for the NCLEX, as well as pre-pharmacy and pre-medical students. Whether you’re just beginning your healthcare journey or looking to deepen your understanding of medications, this course offers a comprehensive yet accessible approach to pharmacology.We’ll cover essential concepts like pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safe medication administration, while exploring how these principles relate to the body's systems, including the nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and endocrine systems. You’ll also gain a deeper understanding of medications used for common disease states. This course is designed to help you make critical connections between physiology, pathophysiology, and the therapeutic use of medications.To support your learning, we've included a range of study tools, including detailed articles, cheat sheets, quizzes, and links to additional resources. These materials are crafted to help you solidify your knowledge and provide quick references for key pharmacological concepts. Our focus on real-world clinical scenarios and critical thinking will prepare you to excel in your studies, clinical practice, and on exams like the NCLEX. Join us to build a strong foundation in pharmacology and elevate your healthcare expertise!

Overview

Section 1: Welcome

Lecture 1 Course Contents

Lecture 0 Summary: Course Contents

Section 2: Introduction to Pharmacology

Lecture 0 Medications and Classifications: Terms and Concepts

Lecture 2 Medications and Classifications: Terms and Concepts

Lecture 0 Safe Medication Administration

Lecture 3 Safe Medication Administration

Section 3: Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics

Lecture 0 Introduction to Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics

Lecture 4 Introduction to Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics

Lecture 0 Pharmacokinetics: Absorption

Lecture 5 Pharmacokinetics: Absorption

Lecture 0 Pharmacokinetics: Distribution

Lecture 6 Pharmacokinetics: Distribution

Lecture 0 Pharmacokinetics: Metabolism

Lecture 7 Pharmacokinetics: Metabolism

Lecture 0 Pharmacokinetics: Elimination

Lecture 8 Pharmacokinetics: Elimination

Lecture 0 Pharmacodynamics: Onset, Peak and Duration

Lecture 9 Pharmacodynamics: Onset, Peak and Duration

Section 4: Infection and Anti-infectives

Lecture 0 Concepts Related to Infection

Lecture 10 Concepts Related to Infection

Lecture 0 Bacterial Infections

Lecture 11 Bacterial Infections

Lecture 0 Viral Infections

Lecture 12 Viral Infections

Lecture 0 Fungal Infections

Lecture 13 Fungal Infections

Lecture 0 Parasitic and Protozoan Infections

Lecture 14 Parasitic and Protozoan Infections

Lecture 0 Variables Related to the Administration of Anti-infectives

Lecture 15 Variables Related to the Administration of Anti-infectives

Lecture 0 Antibacterials and Antibiotics

Lecture 0 Beta-Lactam Antibiotics

Lecture 16 Beta-Lactam Antibiotics

Lecture 0 Sulfonamides

Lecture 17 Sulfonamides

Lecture 0 Fluoroquinolones

Lecture 18 Fluoroquinolones

Lecture 0 Macrolides

Lecture 19 Macrolides

Lecture 0 Aminoglycosides

Lecture 20 Aminoglycosides

Lecture 0 Tetracyclines

Lecture 21 Tetracyclines

Lecture 0 Glycopeptides

Lecture 22 Glycopeptides

Lecture 0 Antituberculars

Lecture 23 Antituberculars

Lecture 0 Antivirals

Lecture 24 Antivirals

Lecture 0 Antifungals

Lecture 25 Antifungals

Lecture 0 Antimalarials

Lecture 26 Antimalarials

Lecture 0 Antiprotozoals

Lecture 27 Antiprotozoals

Lecture 0 Anthelmintics

Lecture 28 Anthelmintics

Section 5: Regulation of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Lecture 0 Introduction to the Nervous System

Lecture 0 Communication in the Autonomic Nervous System

Lecture 29 Communication in the Autonomic Nervous System

Lecture 0 Sympathetic Nervous System

Lecture 30 Sympathetic Nervous System

Lecture 0 Sympathetic Nervous System: Alpha-1 Receptors

Lecture 31 Sympathetic Nervous System: Alpha-1 Receptors

Lecture 0 Sympathetic Nervous System: Alpha-2 Receptors

Lecture 32 Sympathetic Nervous System: Alpha-2 Receptors

Lecture 0 Sympathetic Nervous System: Beta-1 Receptors

Lecture 33 Sympathetic Nervous System: Beta-1 Receptors

Lecture 0 Sympathetic Nervous System: Beta-2 Receptors

Lecture 34 Sympathetic Nervous System: Beta-2 Receptors

Lecture 0 Catecholamines

Lecture 35 Catecholamines

Lecture 0 Parasympathetic Nervous System

Lecture 36 Parasympathetic Nervous System

Lecture 0 Parasympathetic Nervous System: Cholinergics (Muscarinic Agonists)

Lecture 37 Parasympathetic Nervous System: Cholinergics (Muscarinic Agonists)

Lecture 0 Parasympathetic Nervous System: Anticholinergics (Muscarinic Antagonists)

Lecture 38 Parasympathetic Nervous System: Anticholinergics (Muscarinic Antagonists)

Section 6: Regulation of Gas Exchange

Lecture 0 Introduction to Ventilation and Gas Exchange

Lecture 39 Introduction to Ventilation and Gas Exchange

Lecture 0 Conditions and Diseases Related to Gas Exchange

Lecture 40 Conditions and Diseases Related to Gas Exchange

Lecture 0 Medications Affecting Ventilation and Gas Exchange

Lecture 41 Medications Affecting Ventilation and Gas Exchange

Section 7: Regulation of Perfusion and Renal Elimination

Lecture 0 Introduction to Perfusion and Renal Elimination

Lecture 42 Introduction to Perfusion and Renal Elimination

Lecture 0 Functions of the Heart in Relation to Perfusion

Lecture 43 Functions of the Heart in Relation to Perfusion

Lecture 0 Blood Circulation in the Heart

Lecture 44 Blood Circulation in the Heart

Lecture 0 Blood Circulation in the Body

Lecture 45 Blood Circulation in the Body

Lecture 0 Electrical Conduction of the Heart

Lecture 46 Electrical Conduction of the Heart

Lecture 0 Cardiac Cycle

Lecture 47 Cardiac Cycle

Lecture 0 Cardiac Output

Lecture 48 Cardiac Output

Lecture 0 Blood Flow and Blood Pressure

Lecture 49 Blood Flow and Blood Pressure

Lecture 0 Homeostatic Regulation of the Cardiovascular System: RAAS

Lecture 50 Homeostatic Regulation of the Cardiovascular System: RAAS

Lecture 0 Introduction to the Kidneys

Lecture 51 Introduction to the Kidneys

Lecture 0 Blood and Coagulation

Lecture 52 Blood and Coagulation

Lecture 0 Conditions and Disorders Related to Perfusion

Lecture 53 Conditions and Disorders Related to Perfusion

Lecture 0 Considerations Related to the Administration of Medications

Lecture 54 Considerations Related to the Administration of Medications

Lecture 0 Antiarrhythmics

Lecture 55 Antiarrhythmics

Lecture 0 Cardiac Glycosides

Lecture 56 Cardiac Glycosides

Lecture 0 Antianginals

Lecture 57 Antianginals

Lecture 0 Diuretics

Lecture 0 Diuretics

Lecture 0 Antihypertensives

Lecture 58 Antihypertensives

Lecture 0 Blood Coagulation Modifiers

Lecture 59 Blood Coagulation Modifiers

Lecture 0 Erectile Agents

Lecture 60 Erectile Agents

Section 8: Regulation of Gastrointestinal Elimination

Lecture 0 Introduction to the Gastrointestinal System and Processes

Lecture 0 Stomach and Digestion

Lecture 61 Stomach and Digestion

Lecture 0 Gastrointestinal Elimination and Defecation

Lecture 62 Gastrointestinal Elimination and Defecation

Lecture 0 Conditions Affecting Gastrointestinal Elimination: GERD, PUD, Defecation

Lecture 63 Conditions Affecting Gastrointestinal Elimination: GERD, PUD, Defecation

Lecture 0 Nausea and Vomiting

Lecture 64 Nausea and Vomiting

Lecture 0 Medications Used to Regulate Gastrointestinal Elimination

Lecture 0 Antiulcers

Lecture 65 Antiulcers

Lecture 0 Antiflatulents

Lecture 66 Antiflatulents

Lecture 0 Antidiarrheals

Lecture 67 Antidiarrheals

Lecture 0 Laxatives

Lecture 68 Laxatives

Lecture 0 Antiemetics

Lecture 69 Antiemetics

Section 9: Regulation of the Central Nervous System, Mood, and Cognition

Lecture 0 Introduction to the Central Nervous System

Lecture 70 Introduction to the Central Nervous System

Lecture 0 Communication in the Central Nervous System: Neurons and Neurotransmitters

Lecture 71 Communication in the Central Nervous System: Neurons and Neurotransmitters

Lecture 0 Conditions of the Central Nervous System

Lecture 72 Conditions of the Central Nervous System

Lecture 0 Central Nervous System Depressants

Lecture 73 Central Nervous System Depressants

Lecture 0 Central Nervous System Stimulants

Lecture 74 Central Nervous System Stimulants

Lecture 0 Antidepressants

Lecture 75 Antidepressants

Lecture 0 Antimanic Medications

Lecture 76 Antimanic Medications

Lecture 0 Antipsychotics

Lecture 77 Antipsychotics

Lecture 0 Anticonvulsants

Lecture 78 Anticonvulsants

Lecture 79 Antiparkinson's Medications

Lecture 0 Antiparkinson's Medications

Section 10: Metabolic Regulation

Lecture 0 Introduction to the Endocrine System

Lecture 80 Introduction to the Endocrine System

Lecture 0 Regulation of Hormone Secretion

Lecture 81 Regulation of Hormone Secretion

Lecture 0 Stimulation of Endocrine Glands

Lecture 82 Stimulation of Endocrine Glands

Lecture 0 The Hypothalamus-Pituitary Complex

Lecture 83 The Hypothalamus-Pituitary Complex

Lecture 0 Conditions Related to Metabolic Regulation

Lecture 84 Conditions Related to Metabolic Regulation

Lecture 0 Corticosteroids and the Adrenal Glands

Lecture 85 Corticosteroids and the Adrenal Glands

Lecture 0 Blood Glucose, Insulin, and the Pancreas

Lecture 86 Blood Glucose, Insulin, and the Pancreas

Lecture 0 Glucagon

Lecture 87 Glucagon

Lecture 0 Insulin

Lecture 88 Insulin

Lecture 0 Oral Antihyperglycemics

Lecture 89 Oral Antihyperglycemics

Lecture 0 Hormones of the Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands

Lecture 0 Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones

Lecture 90 Synthesis of Thyroid Hormones

Lecture 0 Regulation of Thyroid Hormone Secretion

Lecture 0 Functions of Thyroid Hormones

Lecture 0 Functions of Thyroid Hormones

Lecture 0 Disorders of the Thyroid

Lecture 0 Disorders of the Thyroid

Lecture 0 Calcium Regulation

Lecture 0 Calcium Regulation

Lecture 0 Thyroid Medications and Modifiers of Calcium

Lecture 0 Thyroid Medications and Modifiers of Calcium

Section 11: Pain and Mobility

Lecture 0 Physiology of Pain

Lecture 0 Physiology of Pain

Lecture 0 Mobility and the Musculoskeletal System

Lecture 0 Mobility and the Musculoskeletal System

Lecture 0 Types of Pain: Acute and Chronic

Lecture 0 Types of Pain: Acute and Chronic

Lecture 0 Conditions Related to Mobility and Pain

Lecture 0 Conditions Related to Mobility and Pain

Lecture 0 Non-Opioid Analgesics

Lecture 0 Non-Opioid Analgesics

Lecture 0 Opioid Analgesics

Lecture 0 Opioid Analgesics

Lecture 0 Opioid Antagonists

Lecture 0 Opioid Antagonists

Lecture 0 Adjuvant Analgesics

Lecture 0 Adjuvant Analgesics

Lecture 0 Antigout Medications

Lecture 0 Antigout Medications

Lecture 0 Anesthetics

Lecture 0 Anesthetics

This course is designed for nursing students, practicing nurses, allied health professionals, health sciences students, including those in fields such as pre-medicine and pre-pharmacy. This course provides a comprehensive yet accessible introduction and review of foundational pharmacology concepts, with a focus on various body systems. This course is also designed to help NCLEX test-takers reinforce pharmacology concepts to succeed with the NCLEX exam.