Expanded Nursing Uganda Explanation
BNS 121: Pharmacology I should be studied as a medication-safety topic: indication, dose, route, timing, contraindications, expected effects, adverse effects, documentation and patient teaching all matter.
Contents — 13 sections (tap to expand)
Overview
Course Content
Key Terms & Principles
Drug-Body Interactions (ADME)
Autonomic Nervous System Drugs
Autociods
Antimicrobial & Chemotherapeutic Agents
Prescriptions, Ordering & Regulation
Drugs Acting on Organ Systems
Nursing Uganda Clinical Lens
Assessment Guide
Nursing Priorities, Rationales and Outcomes
Patient Teaching and Revision Check
01 Overview
An introduction to the basic principles of drug action, covering pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and the pharmacology of major drug classes.
02 Course Content
Explore the detailed topics covered in General Pharmacology.
03 Key Terms & Principles
- Introduction to Pharmacology
- Classification of Drugs
- Basic Principles of Drug Action
04 Drug-Body Interactions (ADME)
- Mechanism of Action
- Absorption & Distribution
- Drug Metabolism
- Drug Elimination & Clearance
- Routes of Administration
- Signaling Mechanism
- Adverse Drug Effects
05 Autonomic Nervous System Drugs
- ANS Drugs Introduction
- Cholinergic Receptors
- Sympathomimetics (Adrenergic Agonists)
- Sympatholytics (Adrenergic Blockers)
- Parasympathomimetics (Cholinergic Agonists)
- Parasympatholytics (Anticholinergics)
06 Autociods
- Introduction to Autacoids
- Histamine Pharmacology
- Serotonin & Migraine Pharmacology
- Eicosanoids Pharmacology
- NSAIDs & Prostanoids Pharmacology
07 Antimicrobial & Chemotherapeutic Agents
- Penicillins & Cephalosporins
- Aminoglycosides & Tetracyclines
- Sulphonamides & Quinolones
- Antitubercular & Antimalarials
- Antihelminthic, Antifungal, Antiviral
- Anticancer Drugs
08 Prescriptions, Ordering & Regulation
- Prescription Writing & Interpretation
- Ordering, Storage & Administration
- Dosage Calculations
- Uganda Pharmacy and Drug Act
- National Drugs Authority (NDA)
- Rational Drug Use
09 Drugs Acting on Organ Systems
- Autonomic Nervous System Agents
- Central Nervous System Agents
- Cardiovascular System Agents
- Digestive System Agents
- Reproductive & Urinary System Agents
A selection of key texts and resources cited in this course unit.
- Katzung, B.G., Masters, S.B. & Trevor, A.J. (2009) Basic and Clinical Pharmacology . McGraw-Hill
- Clayton, B.D., & Stock, Y.N. (2001). Basic pharmacology for nurses . Philadelphia: Lippincott.
- Gatford, J.D. & Anderson, R. E. 1993. Nursing calculations . Edinburgh: Churchill
- Gutierrez, K. (1999). Pharmacotherapeutics: clinical decision making in nursing . Saunders.
- Goodman and Gilman (2005): The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics ; McGraw-Hill
- Rang, HP, Dale, MM, Ritter, Flower, R (2007) Rang & Dale's Pharmacology . Churchill
- Uganda Ministry of Health (2010). Uganda Clinical Guidelines : MOH, Uganda
10 Nursing Uganda Clinical Lens
Use BNS 121: Pharmacology I as a practical nursing topic, not only a memorized definition. Study medicines through indication, safety checks, expected response, adverse effects and patient teaching.
- What to understand first: define bns 121: pharmacology i, identify the normal or expected pattern, then explain what changes when the patient is unwell.
- Why it matters in care: the nurse must recognize risk early, explain findings clearly, document accurately and know when to escalate.
- How to revise it: connect each point to assessment, nursing diagnosis or care problem, intervention, rationale and evaluation.
11 Assessment Guide
- Diagnosis or reason for the medicine, allergies, pregnancy status and previous reactions.
- Current medicines, herbal products, renal or liver risk and baseline observations.
- Dose, route, timing, dilution, expiry date and documentation requirements.
12 Nursing Priorities, Rationales and Outcomes
- Apply the rights of medication administration and facility policy.
- Monitor therapeutic response and class-specific adverse effects.
- Educate the patient on purpose, timing, missed doses, warning symptoms and adherence.
The rationale for these priorities is patient safety: nursing actions should prevent deterioration, reduce discomfort, support recovery and create clear evidence for the next caregiver.
- Expected outcome: The medicine produces the intended effect without preventable harm, and administration is accurately documented.
13 Patient Teaching and Revision Check
- Explain bns 121: pharmacology i in simple language the patient or caregiver can repeat back.
- Teach warning signs, medicine or follow-up instructions, hygiene or lifestyle points where relevant.
- For exams, prepare a short answer using: definition, causes or risk factors, signs, assessment, management, complications and prevention.
- For ward practice, document baseline findings, actions taken, patient response and the plan for review.
Illustrations and Diagrams (7)
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