Ateneo - UPO

Clinical Pharmacology insights are an integral part of the course [MS0178] - Clinical Pharmacology. Please open the section corresponding to this course.
The course provides in-depth study of clinical pharmacology aimed at consolidating the application of pharmacological knowledge in the primary areas of nursing practice. The study of the main classes of drugs will be conducted by system and by pathology, highlighting the peculiar characteristics and clinical use of each class. In particular, the therapeutic principles, efficacy and safety profiles, and nursing care aspects related to drugs used in cardiovascular, metabolic, and hematological diseases, as well as in emergency situations, will be analyzed. Special attention will be dedicated to the clinical monitoring of pharmacological treatments and to the management of patients undergoing complex therapies.
Lectures will be supplemented by guided discussions of clinical cases designed to facilitate the practical application of theoretical concepts and foster the development of clinical reasoning and decision-making capabilities.

- Farmacologia generale e speciale per lauree sanitarie (Cella, Di Giulio, Gorio, Scaglione), Piccin.
- Compendio di farmacologia Generale e Speciale (Roxas Amico M., Caputi A.P., Del Tacca M), EDRA.

The Clinical Pharmacology Insights module is part of the Integrated Course in Clinical Nursing in Medical Care; it carries 1 CFU (academic credit) and consists of 12 hours of lectures.
The course aims to explore the clinical aspects of pharmacotherapy in depth and to consolidate foundational knowledge and skills regarding the main classes of drugs. Students are expected to acquire adequate knowledge of the mechanisms of action and pharmacokinetics of the primary drug groups, as well as the relationship between desired and adverse effects, and to be capable of recognizing potential acute and chronic harmful effects of medications.
By the end of the course, students will have acquired the tools necessary to understand the therapeutic rationale of major pharmacological treatments, evaluate their efficacy and safety profiles, and recognize clinical management issues. Particular emphasis will be placed on monitoring pharmacological therapies, preventing and identifying adverse drug reactions and interactions, as well as managing patients in acute and chronic conditions that require complex therapeutic interventions.
The course integrates basic pharmacological knowledge with elements of applied clinical pharmacology and aims to foster independent judgment, communication skills, and learning capacity. Furthermore, students must develop an awareness that proper pharmacological therapy is subject to constant critical review, driven both by the introduction of new drugs and the emergence of new adverse effects.

Students are required to have a fundamental understanding of Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, General Pathology, and Pathophysiology.

Classes will all be held in the classroom using PowerPoint presentations, and active student participation is welcomed whenever their background knowledge allows. The materials used during lectures will be uploaded to the course's DIR page.
In addition to traditional lectures, teaching methods include the critical analysis and discussion of clinical cases. Conducted individually or in small groups with faculty facilitation and active class participation, these activities aim to foster students' clinical reasoning skills.

The professor receives students by appointment via email.
Students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (SLD/DSA), or Special Educational Needs (SEN/BES) can request dedicated services and accommodations by visiting the university website: https://uniupo.it/it/servizi/servizi-studentesse-e-studenti-condizione-di-fragilità-disabilità-dsa-bes.
Once they have contacted the University Staff, students with disabilities, SLD, or SEN can reach out to the course professor regarding exam procedures and teaching adaptation methods.

Learning assessment consists of a written examination comprising three multiple-choice questions (MCQs), each with a single correct option. These three questions contribute to the final grade of the Clinical Nursing in Medical Care examination, of which the Advanced Clinical Pharmacology module forms an integral part.

The Clinical Pharmacology In-Depth Topics module integrates and complements the core Clinical Pharmacology curriculum. Specifically, drug classes will be evaluated comparatively, with particular focus on:
• Pharmacokinetic profiles
• Mechanisms of action
• Therapeutic effects
• Practical implications for clinical practice and patient management.

At the end of the "Advanced Clinical Pharmacology" module, in line with the educational objectives of the Bachelor's Degree in Nursing and the Tuning Matrix, students will have achieved the following learning outcomes, structured according to the Dublin Descriptors.
D1 – Knowledge and Understanding Students will know and understand the basic concepts of general pharmacology and the pharmaco-toxicological characteristics of the main classes of drugs. In particular, they will be able to:
• Describe the main aspects of clinical pharmacology useful for managing pharmacological therapy in patients;
• Understand the factors responsible for variability in drug response and their implications for nursing practice;
• Know the main therapeutic effects, adverse reactions, and safety issues associated with drugs of major clinical interest.
D2 – Applying Knowledge and Understanding Students will acquire the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to think critically about the administration of various drugs. In particular, they will be able to:
• Interpret information regarding pharmacological treatment in relation to the patient's clinical characteristics;
• Recognize potential problems related to drug therapy, including adverse reactions and drug interactions;
• Apply the principles of monitoring the efficacy and safety of pharmacological treatments within the context of nursing care.
D3 – Making Judgements Students will acquire the ability to critically evaluate the concepts learned and independently discuss issues arising from their practical application. In particular, they will be able to:
• Critically evaluate the pharmacological information necessary for patient management;
• Identify situations requiring attention, monitoring, or escalation to responsible healthcare personnel.
D4 – Communication Skills Students will acquire the ability to communicate the acquired knowledge using specific and appropriate vocabulary to interact professionally. In particular, they will be able to use appropriate pharmacological terminology when communicating with the healthcare team and in nursing documentation.
D5 – Learning Skills Students will develop learning skills necessary for continuous and ongoing professional updating in the field of pharmacology.