6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL
Undergraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Organisational Unit
Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice
Chief examiner(s)
Coordinator(s)
Unit guides
Synopsis
Paramedics encounter an abundance of pharmaceutical agents within their practice.
This unit is designed to assist students to develop foundational knowledge, skills and clinical judgements regarding pharmacotherapy within community-based emergency health.
The social, political, legal and ethical implications of drug use and abuse within the individual, family and community will also be examined.
Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:
- Describe the basic principles of pharmacology, drug administration and monitoring as they relate to paramedic practice;
- Identify routes of administration, absorption rates and safe work practices as they relate to paramedic practice;
- Demonstrate proficiency in calculation of drug dosages for administration of medications by paramedics by a variety of routes;
- Examine legal responsibilities associated with the administration and safe keeping of drugs within paramedic practice;
- Identify and explain the actions and side effects of common pharmaceutical agents encountered within the pre-hospital setting;
- Review and interpret the historical and current use of drugs used within paramedic practice.
Assessment
- Mid-semester quiz (1 hour) (10%)
- Drug calculations test (1 hour) (20%)
- Pharmacotherapy Glossary (1,000 words) (30%)
- End of semester exam (2 hours) (40%) (hurdle)
Workload requirements
A combination of lectures, tutorials and online activities (6 hours per week), and self-directed study (6 hours per week).
See also Unit timetable information