Medication Therapy Basics
| Structure Type: | Study unit |
|---|---|
| Code: | SN00BW99 |
| Curriculum: | SH SNU2026 |
| Level: | Bachelor of Nursing |
| Year of Study: | 1 (2026-2027) |
| Semester: | Spring |
| Credits: | 4 cr |
| Responsible Teacher: | Björninen, Karina |
| Language of Instruction: | English |
Learning Outcomes
Understand regulations and standards guiding medication administration and the competence requirements for nurses.
Identify factors and processes affecting medication and medication safety.
Know basic concepts of medication, dosage forms, and administration routes.
Understand pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and methods for retrieving evidence-based drug information.
Perform medication dosage calculations.
Implement the patient’s medication process safely.
Student's Workload
Total workload: 108 hours
- Scheduled learning: (includes 13 hours of workshop activities and 1 hour for self-assessment)
- Independent study:
Contents
Regulations concerning medication and patient rights. Medication and medication safety, medication errors, and documentation. Key concepts of medication, dosage forms, and administration routes. Absorption, distribution, and elimination of drugs in the body. Main mechanisms of drug action. Prescribing, dispensing, and recording prescriptions and changes. The '10 Rights' in medication process. Monitoring and documenting patient medication. Administration of drugs orally, topically, and via injections (subcutaneous, intramuscular, intradermal). Implementing prescriptions and retrieving evidence-based medication information. Dosage calculations.
Workshop topics: tablet dispensing, preparation of s.c., i.m., and i.d. injections, injection administration, and patient guidance.
Recommended or Required Reading and Other Learning Resources/Tools
Will be informed in the beginning of the course by the teacher
Other material indicated by the teacher.
Mode of Delivery / Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
Lectures, assignments, and workshop activities.
Assessment Criteria
Level 5:
Calculate medication dosages accurately without errors.
Describe and evaluate the implementation of regulations and standards guiding medication and propose improvements.
Explain factors and processes affecting medication safety and documentation of medication errors.
Describe key medication concepts and administration methods, evaluate them for individual patients, and systematically retrieve information from drug databases.
Administer oral, topical, and injectable medications (s.c., i.m., i.d.) ensuring patient safety.
Critically assess own performance and propose development actions.
Level 3:
Calculate medication dosages accurately without errors.
Describe and evaluate the implementation of regulations and standards guiding medication.
Explain key medication concepts, drug effects, and administration methods and retrieve information from drug databases.
Administer oral, topical, and injectable medications (s.c., i.m., i.d.) ensuring patient safety.
Justify actions when implementing patient medication.
Level 1:
Calculate medication dosages accurately without errors.
Describe regulations and standards guiding medication.
Explain medication concepts and administration methods and retrieve information from drug databases under guidance.
Administer oral, topical, and injectable medications (s.c., i.m., i.d.).
Assessment Methods
Exam (grading scale 0–5), medication calculations (pass/fail), 100% attendance in workshops, independent assignments (pass/fail).