KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
By the end of the course, the student should have knowledge of the principles guiding the use of drugs in patients and should be familiar with the main drugs used in clinics. He/she must be able to critically understand how to manage nursing cure in relation to pharmacological therapies, especially in the most common acute and/or chronic pathologies.

CAPACITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
By the end of the course, the student must have a good knowledge of drugs currently used in clinical practice; in particular, he/she should be aware of drug- related adverse effects and of possible drug-drug interactions, in order to give the best nursing care. Student must be able to communicate his/her knowledge clearly. A good communication skill is essential in healthcare for patients education and for improving adherence to therapy. These skills apply to nursing care guidance for both hospitalized and at home patients . The role of nurses is of great importance particularly in outpatient services.

INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT
By the end of the course, the student should be able to recognize any critical issues arising from the use of medications and should be able to report them correctly.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS.
The oral examination is designed to test the student's ability to know how to communicate his or her knowledge effectively, how to respond quickly by making well-organized speeches, and how to use specific and appropriate language. A good ability to communicate one's knowledge greatly facilitates the nurse-patient relationship.

LEARNING SKILLS.
By the of the course, the student must demonstrate the ability to apply what the course objectives provide.

Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, general pathology and of the basic principles of genetics and biochemistry are required. Such knowledge was acquired in first-year courses.

The course aims at providing the basics of knowledge in pharmacology and toxicology, for understanding commonly prescribed medications encountered in clinical practice. Theoretical notions concern the pharmacokinetic properties of the drugs, the mechanisms of action, the therapeutic use, the adverse effects as well as the most important drug interactions with other natural or synthetic substances. In particular, attention will be given to the pharmacological therapies of the most common pathologies such as pain and inflammation, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, gastric hypersecretion, infections among others.

Katzung & Trevor’s Pharmacology. Compendium and Multiple-Choice Questions, Piccin Publisher M.A. Clark e al.: LE BASI DELLA FARMACOLOGIA. Zanichelli Publisher Lehne's Pharmacology for Nursing Care. Elsevier Publisher

INTRODUCTION General concepts. Drug definition, origin of the drugs, drug, preclinical and clinical trials. GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY - Routes of administration Pharmacokinetics: - Absorption, first-pass effect, bioavailability. - Distribution: drug-protein binding, physiological barriers, the concept of distribution volume - Metabolism: phase I and II enzymes and their variability - Elimination of drug and kinetics of elimination. Pharmacodynamics: - drug targets and receptors - agonists and antagonists - receptor modulation Toxicology: - Adverse drug Reactions - Organ toxicities Variability in drug response - hints of pharmacogenetics - Drug interactions. PHARMACOTERAPHY Pharmacology of the adrenergic trasmission: - catecholamines (adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine) - alpha 1 and alpha 2 agonists - beta 1 and beta 2 agonists - Alpha 1 blockers - non-selective and cardioselective beta blockers. Pharmacology of the cholinergic transmission: -antimuscarinic drugs - indirect cholinomimetic drugs (anticholinesterases) - Neuromuscular blockers Cardiovascular Pharmacology. - Antihypertensive drugs - Adrenergic positive inotropic agents and digitalis - diuretics - Drugs used in the heart failure therapy - Vasodilators and anti-anginal drugs. - Anticoagulants (heparin and oral) and fibrinolytic. - Antiarrhythmic drugs: generalities Pharmacology of inflammation and pain: - NSAID - glucocorticoids - immunosuppressive drugs - opioids. Clinical pharmacology of the gastric hypersecretion (antacids, antihistamines, anti H2, proton pump inhibitors) Chemotherapy of infectious diseases - General principles, classification and mechanisms of action of antibacterial drugs. - antifungal drugs Pharmacology of central nervous system - anxiolytic-sedatives and anticonvulsant drugs - Generalities on dopaminergic transmission drugs

Lectures supported by slide projections. In order to improve the learning, the teacher will request the collaboration of the students trying to stimulate questions and discussion on the topics.

PowerPoint slides used during the lectures will be provided to students. The professor is available for further clarifications and explanations upon phone or email contact. Any changes to what is here described will be communicated on the Department or Course website or directly to students during lectures.

Oral examination (20 minutes); the exam will be carried out through open questions in order to check the understanding on the topics and the ability of the student to critically discuss them and to integrate them with his/her knowledge of previous teachings. Open-ended questions will be formulated focusing on topics included in the study program of the teaching activity 712ME1. To pass the exam (18/30), students should demonstrate a sufficient knowledge in pharmacology, answering to at least two questions. To achieve the best score (30/30 laude), the student should answer all questions, demonstrating excellent knowledge of the topics and appropriate language. Mark of the 712ME1 teaching activity partial exam will be published on ESSE3 platform

This course deals with topics
closely linked to one or more objectives of the 2030 Agenda for the Sustainable Development of
United Nations