Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Pharmacology for the Health Professional (Face-to-Face)

NURS 3212-01

Course: NURS 3212-01
Credits: 2
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: NURS
CRN: 32852

Course Description

This course examines the pharmacotherapeutic agents and complementary interventions used in the treatment of illness as well as the promotion, restoration and maintenance of health and wellness. Emphasis will be placed on the nursing process as it relates to concepts of safe medication administration, monitoring and effectiveness.

Required Texts

  • Assessment Technologies Institute. (2023). RN Pharmacology for Nursing, Review Module. (9th edition). Assessment Technologies Institute.
  • Assessment Technologies Institute. (2024). Pharmacology Made Easy 4.0. [Software].

ID:CDN009434727

Learning Outcomes

A list of learning objectives and specific outcomes for this course appears below. You will demonstrate your understanding on assignments and exams. Use the feedback from these experiences to improve your understanding of the topics covered in this course.

  • Identify the roles of the professional nurse in relation to medication administration monitoring and education.
  • Describe the nurse’s legal and ethical responsibilities with regards to medication administration and management
  • Describe characteristics of major medication classifications used in the treatment of commonly occurring diseases in terms of uses, mechanism of action, drug effects, therapeutic uses, side effects, adverse effects, toxicity, and interactions.
  • Apply pharmacological principles into clinical decision-making.
  • Examine the RN role in safe medication administration and management

Course Requirements

ATI Statement (Level Statement)

The following ATI Assessment Exams will be administered during the Semester for NURS 3212:
Current proficiency levels for the Pharmacology ATI exams are:
  • Level 3: 86.3% - 100%
  • Level 2: 71.1% - 86.2%
  • Level 1: 52.7% - 71.0%
  • Below Level 1: 0.0% - 52.6%
Grading for proficiency levels as follows:
For students that reach Level 3 their grade will be
  • 95.1% - 100% proficiency equals 100%
  • 90.4% - 95% proficiency equals 95%
  • 86.3% - 90.3% proficiency equals 90%
For students that reach Level 2 their grade will be
  • 81.2% - 86.2% proficiency equals 88%
  • 76.1% - 81.1% proficiency equals 84%
  • 71.1% - 76.0% proficiency equals 80%
For students that reach Level 1 their grade will be
  • 64.4% - 71.0% proficiency equals 78%
  • 58.5% - 64.3% proficiency equals 74%
  • 52.7% - 58.4% proficiency equals 70%
Students who get Below Level 1 for any ATI receive 0%. If they receive at least Level 1 on either the midterm or the final ATI, the ATI they received Below Level 1 will be adjusted to 70%. Students who receive Below Level 1 on both the midterm and final ATI will receive 0% for both exams.
Any student that gets Below Level 1 proficiency score on the ATI midterm exam must do 8 hours of remediation focused on ATI. This will include meeting with the professor. Remediation will include: an approved study plan with the instructor. This may include focused review or a plan approved by the instructor. Suggestions for remediation include the ATI focused review, review of course PowerPoints, retaking ATI Pharmacology Made Easy modules, or studying Active Learning Templates. Remediation for ATI Midterm must be complete prior to taking the final ATI exam. Failure to complete remediation for any ATI exam will result in a ZERO score for the ATI exam and failure of NURS 3212.
The ATI Midterm is comprehensive of the information in the entire course. You may want to study the ATI chapters that are covered at the end of the semester prior to taking the first ATI exam.

Grading

Module Assignments | 50%
Application Assignments | 10%
Participation | 10%
Exams • ATI testing - Includes both ATI Midterm (10%) and Final exam (15%) | 25%
• ATI Practice Exam Tickets | 5%
Total | 100%

Grading Scale

Grades are determined in accordance with the policy of the Department of Nursing. The grading scale is as follows:
94-100% = A 77-79% = C+
90-93% = A- 74 -76% = C
87-89% = B+ Any grade below
84 -86% = B 74% constitutes
80-83% = B- failure of the course

Passing Grade

A cumulative score of 74% or higher is needed to successfully complete and pass all nursing courses. Failure to meet the performance criteria for the NURS 3212 course will constitute failure of this course and will result in an “F” regardless of individual grades on module assignments. For policies regarding incomplete or withdrawal, please refer to the current university catalog.

Description of Graded Assignments

Each module is graded as pass/fail. If you are able to pass the module, full points will be given for the module. Failure to complete any required activities for the module result in a fail grade for the module and zero points will be given. The PowerPoint slideshows and recorded videos posted in each module are to assist students in studying the material. Students are encouraged to view them and use them to complete the module activities and other assignments.
ATI Pharmacology Made Easy 4.0 modules
These interactive tutorials help you to review medications and principles learned in the reading. Each module focuses on drugs that relate to a body system. Complete the entire module, including the lessons, case study, activities, and test at the end. If you have completed the module and earned an 80% on the test at the end of the module, you will not have to complete Active Learning Templates.
ATI Active Learning Templates
If you were not able to earn 80% on the first attempt of the test at the end of the Pharmacology Made Easy module, you will need to submit completed Active Learning Templates (ALTs) for all prototype medications listed in the assignment in Canvas. ALTs need to be handwritten and include the following:
  • Expected Action
  • Therapeutic Use
  • Complications
  • Medication Administration
  • Contraindications/Precautions
  • Nursing Interventions
  • Interactions
  • Client Education
  • Evaluation of Effectiveness
If you are required to complete the Active Learning Templates and do not submit them for all the medications, you will receive a grade of 0 for the entire module. If you complete all of the ALTs, you will receive full points for the module. Upload your ALTs to the Canvas Assignment.
ATI Assessment quizzes
Students must earn an 80% on these Assessments, but they can be taken as many times as necessary to earn an 80%. Once the student earns an 80%, they will upload their score to Canvas for full credit.
Application Assignments – Medication Mapping, Patient Education Handout, Case Study
Students will complete three assignments that will allow them to apply the pharmacology principles they are learning in the ATI text, online ATI Modules, and in-class lectures/Power Points. These assignments will be worth 50 points and will be graded according to the rubric in Canvas.
ATI Exams
Two ATI exams will be given. They are comprehensive. See information in ATI section of the grading section above.

Course Outline

Dates | Module(s) | Content | Assignments
Start Here; Module 1 – Dosage Calculations; Module 2 – Intro to Pharmacology | Reading: ATI Ch. 3; Power Point/Lectures/Videos: • Dosage Calculations; Reading: ATI Ch. 1, 2, 4, 5, 25; Power Point/Lectures/Videos: • Intro to Pharm | Study Plan Assignment; ATI Quiz: Pharm – Drug Calculation; ATI Introduction to Pharmacology Module 2: Activities, case study, lesson test
Module 3 - Cardiac | Reading: ATI Ch.18, 19, 20, 21, 22; Power Point/Lectures/Videos: • Cholesterol • Diuretics • Antihypertensives • Antiarrythmics • Adrenergic | ATI Cardio Module: Activities, case study, lesson test. ATI Quiz: Pharm - Cardio
Module 4 - Respiratory | Reading: ATI Ch. 16, 17; Power Points/Lectures/Videos: • Upper Respiratory • Lower Respiratory | ATI Respiratory Module: Activities, case study, lesson test. ATI Quiz: Pharm – Respiratory
Module 5 - Pain | Reading: ATI Ch. 33, 34, 35, 36; Power Points/Lectures/Videos: • Pain – NSAIDS and Acetaminophen • Pain – Opiods • Migraines and Muscle Relaxers | ATI Pain Module: Activities, case study, lesson test; ATI Quiz: Pharm – Pain; Student Study Plan Check-in
Module 6 – Neuro 2 | Reading: ATI Ch. 6, 7, 8, 9, 13; Power Points/Lectures/Videos: • Anxiety and Depression • Mood Stabilizers and Antipsychotics • Eyes and Ears | ATI Neuro System Part 2 Module: Activities, case study, lesson test; ATI Quiz: Pharm - Psych; Medication Mapping Assignment
Module 7 - Gastrointestinal | Reading: ATI Ch. 26, 27, 28; Power Points/Lectures/Videos: • GI – Upper • GI - Lower | ATI Gastrointestinal System Module: Activities, case study, lesson test; ATI Quiz: Pharm – GI
Module 8 – Endocrine/Diabetes | Reading: ATI Ch. 37, 38; Power Points/Lectures/Videos: • Endocrine • Diabetes | ATI Endocrine System Module: Activities, case study, lesson test; ATI Quiz: Pharm – Endocrine and Diabetes
Module 9 - Hematologic | Reading: ATI Ch. 23, 24, 28; Power Points/Lectures/Videos: • Anemias & Hemophilia • Anticoagulants | ATI Hematologic System Module: Activities, case study, lesson test; ATI Quiz: Pharm – Anemia; Patient Education Handout
Module 10 – Musculoskeletal | Reading: ATI Ch. 31, 32; Power Points/Lectures/Videos: • Bones and Joints | ATI Musculoskeletal System Module: Activities, case study, lesson test; ATI Quiz: Pharm - Musculoskeletal
ATI Midterm Ticket | Review all chapters, Power Points, and lectures | ATI Midterm Ticket
 Module 11 – Neuro 1 | Reading: ATI Ch. 10, 12, 14, 15; Power Points/Lectures/Videos: • Anesthesia • Hypnotics • Neuro • CNS Stimulants | ATI Neuro System Part 1 Module: Activities, case study, lesson test; ATI Quiz: Pharm - Neuro
Module 12 - Infection | Reading: ATI Ch. 41, 42, 43, 44, 45; Power Points/Lectures/Videos: • Antibiotic principles • Antibiotics • Antibiotics UTI • Antimicrobials | ATI Infection Module: Activities, case study, lesson test; ATI Quiz: Pharm – Antibiotics; Case Study Assignment
Module 13 – Reproductive, Genitourinary | Reading: ATI Ch. 29, 30, 44; Power Points/Lectures/Videos: • Genitourinary • Antibiotics UTI | ATI Reproductive and Genitourinary System Module: Activities, case study, lesson test; ATI Quiz: Pharm - GU
Module 14 – Immunizations, Chemotherapy, HIV Meds | Reading: ATI Ch. 39, 40, 46; Power Points/Lectures/Videos: • Immunizations • Chemotherapy • HIV Meds | ATI Immune System Module: Activities, case study, lesson test; ATI Quiz: Pharm - Chemo
Module 15 – Alternative Medications, Cannabis | Reading: ATI Ch. 47; Power Points/Lectures/Videos: • Alternative Medications • Medical Cannabis | ATI Quiz: Pharm - Alternative
ATI Final Exam Ticket | Review all chapters, Power Points, and lectures | ATI Final Exam Ticket

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Instructor’s Response Time and Feedback

Emails from students in semester-long classes must be responded to within three business days (Definition of business day: Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm and does not include holidays). Please include the course name (NURS 3212) in the subject line. Grades and/or feedback will be given on assignments in 7 calendar days of the scheduled due dates. Please allow at least 7 days before inquiring about grades. If faculty need an extension to grade assignments because of assignment length, holiday, or other circumstances, faculty will notify students in advance.

Late Assignments

All assignments, quizzes, exams etc. are due at the time designated in Canvas. There is a 10% deduction per day on any late submission. A student must reach out to the instructor BEFORE a deadline if they have an extenuating circumstance related to an assignment. The extenuating circumstance will be evaluated by the instructor. The instructor will determine if full points will be given or if the 10% deduction per day remains in place. Submissions will not be accepted after the last day of the term/semester at 11:59 pm.

Make-up Work

Make-up work for extra credit or in place of missed assignments will NOT be provided.

Attendance Policy

Attendance and Participation

Points will be given for attendance and participation each week. Students are responsible for showing up to class on time and staying until the end of class. Attendance will be taken when class starts. If a student comes in late or leaves early without making prior arrangements with the professor, they will not receive points for the day.

Course Fees

Course Fees: Students will register and pay online for Pharm Made Easy 4.0 once the semester begins. The software costs $134.

Prerequisites, Co-requisites, and Registration Restrictions

Nursing Student policies and procedures

Refer to the Nursing Student Handbook posted on the SUU Department of Nursing homepage for specific policies and procedures related to program and course management and progress.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.