FNP Clinical Practice Toolkit
This Library Research Guide is intended to help identify and locate scholarly and evidence-based resources (books, articles, credible websites etc.) on clinical nursing practices. Health data, anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, physical assessment,
Pharmacology
Pharmacology is the science and practice of developing and administering chemicals as agents in the treatment of diseases. Pharmaceuticals are drugs used as to treat disease, yet they are also abused for “recreational” purposes or used for criminal purposes.
The discipline of pharmacology comprises more than just the chemistry of drugs. It also includes the study of how living organisms react to exposure to drugs. The interactions may be anti-pathogenic, therapeutic, or toxic. The later area of study is toxicology, or the study of poisonous effects. Read more about Pharmacology This link opens in a new window.
Drug References & Clinical Calculators
- CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain This link opens in a new windowCDC is committed to fighting the opioid overdose epidemic and supporting states and communities as they continue work to identify outbreaks, collect data, respond to overdoses, and provide care to those in their communities.
- Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®) This link opens in a new windowThe LactMed® database contains information on drugs and other chemicals to which breastfeeding mothers may be exposed. It includes information on the levels of such substances in breast milk and infant blood, and the possible adverse effects in the nursing infant. Suggested therapeutic alternatives to those drugs are provided, where appropriate. All data are derived from the scientific literature and fully referenced. A peer review panel reviews the data to assure scientific validity and currency.
- Herbs and Supplements: MedlinePlus This link opens in a new windowLearn about prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines. Includes side effects, dosage, special precautions, and more.
- Polypharmacy in Older Adults: Practical Applications Alongside a Patient Case from the Journal of Nurse Practitioners This link opens in a new windowThis article uses a case-based approach to showcase various issues that a nurse practitioner may encounter as it relates to polypharmacy and pharmacotherapeutic considerations. Tools are also explored to assess polypharmacy in the field.
Recommended Videos
- Core Concepts of Pharmacology [Video] This link opens in a new windowAn overview of pharmacology for nurses is provided, including the nurse's responsibilities, an explanation of how drugs are named, types of drugs, classification of drugs, maintaining a medication administration record, and the timing of medications.
- Pharmacodynamics [Video] This link opens in a new windowThe various methods of administering drugs are discussed, as well as ways of maintaining a therapeutic effect, drug–food interactions, and other factors affecting drug distribution and metabolism.
- Pharmacokinetics [Video] This link opens in a new windowThe processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs are explained.