Guidelines for Pharmacology Hours
A presentation should include the following content to be designated as
fulfilling pharmacology requirements for ARNP prescriptive authority:
Course content may include but not be limited to:
- Evaluating between drug and non-drug therapy or the appropriate combination of modalities.
- Determining the most appropriate and specific agent based upon assessment of the individual's current needs and underlying health problem.
- Monitoring for therapeutic and adverse effects of drug therapy.
- Preventing and minimizing adverse drug effects and, when necessary, appropriately treating these reactions.
- Providing information to patients in order to help the patient better comply with the therapeutic regime.
- Understanding and complying with state and federal regulations.
- Recognizing when consultation and referral are necessary.
Examples of topics of acceptable pharmacology courses include but are not limited to:
- General principles of pharmacology.
- Indications for use/contraindications.
- Interactions, side effects, adverse effects.
- Dosing.
- Routes of administration.
- Individualization of drug therapy based on age, health status and other factors.
- Risk vs. benefit factors.
- Compliance.
Thirty (30) minutes of pharmacology content is required to receive the minimum of 0.5 credit hours.
*Source: Guidelines for Acceptable Courses for ARNP PRESCRIPTIVE AUTHORIZATION Approved by the Washington State Board of Nursing, DOH669-173 (10/90), State of Washington Department of Health, P.O. Box 1099, Olympia, WA 98507-1099, (360) 664-4211.