Introduction
Pharmacology is the study of the actions of drugs while also incorporating knowledge from other associated scientific disciplines, such as pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. The importance of medical treatment in contemporary healthcare places a heavy emphasis on the education of nursing professionals in the fundamentals of pharmacology. This discipline is an essential component of the nursing profession since it plays a crucial role in enhancing medication and patient safety. This discussion seeks to understand why extensive knowledge of pharmacology is essential for the nursing practitioner (NP). It also explores the association between the nursing practitioner’s (NP’s) knowledge of pharmacology and patient safety.
Pharmacology and the Nursing Practitioner
The proper administration and use of medication require knowledge of pharmacology (Patel & Shelley, 2020). NPs are able to concentrate on how drugs change the body from a physiological standpoint when they have a solid understanding of the concepts of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. This allows them to conduct more accurate patient evaluations and recommend one medication over another. By learning and having a solid pharmacology foundation, NPs can equip themselves to ensure that medical tools are effectively utilized to administer medication, treat diseases, and relieve patient pain. It also gives them a broad knowledge and understanding of how drugs function, which enables these professionals to properly convey to patients how essential it is for them to take their medications exactly as prescribed.
Pharmacology and Patient Safety
With expanded pharmacological knowledge, NPs will be able to identify therapeutic responses to drugs and adverse reactions, which will help them ensure patient safety and respond appropriately to patient requirements. Proper dispensing and medication prescription prevents errors and misdiagnoses, which could lead to patient harm or even death (Coyne et al., 2017). By being aware of the drugs their patients are on and keeping track of their side effects, NPs can reduce the risk of harm caused by medications, such as adverse drug events, and the dangers of non-adherence, thereby ensuring the safety of their patients.
Conclusion
NPs have a professional obligation to maintain current knowledge of the latest medical discoveries and the pharmacology of drugs. Nursing students need to learn more about medication management than the standard nursing curriculum covers. Assessing, planning, intervening, and evaluating are all parts of the nursing process that allow nurses to detect and track variables that may modify drug action. Doing so would enable them to be better equipped in better handling their patients, reducing medication errors, and enhancing patient safety.
References
Coyne, C., Ence, T., Smyres, C., Brennan, J., Castillo, E., & Vilke, G. (2017). 433 the relationship between medication knowledge, perceived importance, and medication adherence. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 70(4), S169. Web.
Patel, N., & Shelley, K. (2022). Basic principles of pharmacology. Essential Notes in Pain Medicine, 93-100. Web.