Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan
This course focuses on the development of psychopharmacologic knowledge, critical thinking, and clinical judgment in the application of psychotropic medications to treat and manage psychiatric mental health conditions across the lifespan. Emphasis is on the neurobiological underpinning of psychopathology, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics of psychotropic medications. Students will learn the general principles of psychopharmacologic treatment, major psychotropic drug classes, and the ethical, legal, and professional guidelines for prescribing as an advanced practice nurse.
Prerequisite: Advanced Pharmacology, Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Practice Nursing Across the Lifespan I.
Outcomes: At the successful completion of the course, students will be able to: 1) Understand the neurobiological processes related to the psychopharmacological treatment of psychiatric mental health disorders across the lifespan; 2) Differentiate between the major classes of psychopharmacologic medications in terms of pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenomics, pharmacotherapeutic value, and pharmacodynamics; 3) Apply critical thinking and clinical judgment when selecting appropriate psychotropic medications for patients, including: indication for use, diagnostic reasoning, medication and family history, dosing regimens, side effects, drug interactions, contraindications, and therapeutic drug monitoring; 4) Distinguish the management of psychotropic medications across the developmental lifespan, including children, adolescents, adults and older adults, and for patients with psychiatric comorbidities, substance use disorders, and other acute or chronic medical illnesses; 5) Evaluate therapeutic outcomes of psychopharmacological intervention using evidence-based prescribing guidelines, standard monitoring methodologies, psychological tools sensitive to medication changes, and other recommended laboratory testing; 6) Understand the legal, ethical, socio-cultural, and economic considerations when prescribing psychotropic medications across the lifespan.
Prerequisite: Advanced Pharmacology, Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Practice Nursing Across the Lifespan I.
Outcomes: At the successful completion of the course, students will be able to: 1) Understand the neurobiological processes related to the psychopharmacological treatment of psychiatric mental health disorders across the lifespan; 2) Differentiate between the major classes of psychopharmacologic medications in terms of pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenomics, pharmacotherapeutic value, and pharmacodynamics; 3) Apply critical thinking and clinical judgment when selecting appropriate psychotropic medications for patients, including: indication for use, diagnostic reasoning, medication and family history, dosing regimens, side effects, drug interactions, contraindications, and therapeutic drug monitoring; 4) Distinguish the management of psychotropic medications across the developmental lifespan, including children, adolescents, adults and older adults, and for patients with psychiatric comorbidities, substance use disorders, and other acute or chronic medical illnesses; 5) Evaluate therapeutic outcomes of psychopharmacological intervention using evidence-based prescribing guidelines, standard monitoring methodologies, psychological tools sensitive to medication changes, and other recommended laboratory testing; 6) Understand the legal, ethical, socio-cultural, and economic considerations when prescribing psychotropic medications across the lifespan.