IPHE 410 Medication Use And Abuse

School of Health and Human Services

IPHE 410 Medication Use and Abuse. Most aging people use medication (prescription or over-the-counter) to treat a variety of chronic or symptomatic problems. This course seeks to define the professionals role in medication management with aging clients. An understanding of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics related to the aging body will assist the gerontological caregiver in understanding drug reactions. Reasons for drug misuse and abuse will be explored, and principles and strategies developed to improve drug regime compliance. Tools to assist with medication profile analysis will be presented.

Prerequisites: None

Corequisite: None

Crosslisted: None

Accessibility Services Notice

Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.

Transfer Agreements

Course to Course transfer – NoBlock Transfer – Nobctransferguide.ca
Course Details
Total number of weeks12
Total Credits2.00
Total Hours32
Typical hours per week breakdown

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

  1. describe the pharmacokinetic changes in the body that affect response to drugs in the older adult.
  2. describe the pharmacodynamic changes in the aging body that affect response to drugs in the older adult.
  3. list reasons older adults may be non-compliant or misuse or abuse medication (prescription or OTC).
  4. define polypharmacy and name 5 types of adverse drug reactions.
  5. discuss the physical and psychological effects of adverse drug reactions on older adults.
  6. discuss high risk medications in the elderly population.
  7. outline nursing principles that will promote safe drug use with the older adult.
  8. develop nursing and team strategies to enhance medication compliance in older adults.
  9. develop an understanding of the importance of good drug management in the elderly population.

Grading Table

Percentage Letter Grade GPA
90-100 A+ 4.33
85-89 A 4.00
80-84 A- 3.67
76-79 B+ 3.33
72-75 B 3.00
68-71 B- 2.67
64-67 C+ 2.33
60-63 C 2.00
55-59 C- 1.67
50-54 P 1.00
0-49 F 0.00
  DNW 0.00

See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.

Disclaimer

Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.