Leader: Professor Harald Schmidt

Offered

Clayton Term 2 2008 (Day)

Synopsis

General principles of pharmacology. Phases and sites of drug action (pharmaceutic, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic). Binding. Concentration response curves, potency, efficacy. Pharmacokinetics. Drug administration. Absorption. Distribution. Elimination. Introduction to toxicology. Contrast media, general principles, x-ray uses, product quality, risks, prevention and treatment of reactions. Contrast media for magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound. Properties and effects of general anaesthetics, neuromuscular blocking drugs, local anaesthetics and sedatives, drugs used for the treatment of anxiety and for modification of gastrointestinal activity in radiographic procedures.

Objectives

At the successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental concepts of pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and toxicology;

2. explain the general principles, classification, structure and properties of contrast media;

3. appreciate the nature of the risks associated with contrast media;

4. describe the prevention, treatment and support for contrast media reactions; and

5. appreciate the characteristics of other drugs used in the clinical setting, general and local anaesthesia and their implications for patient care during diagnostic imaging examinations.

Assessment

One written examination (1.5 hours): 75%
One written assignment: 25%

Co-requisites

Only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Radiography and Medical Imaging.