AHPT 848: Pharmacology
Prerequisite: AHPT 824 or permission of the Department
Credit Hours: (2)
Pharmacology is the study of drugs with an emphasis on how drugs affect physical therapy.
The course will cover pharmacotherapeutics about specific drugs that are used to prevent,
treat, or diagnose disease; Pharmacokinetics to understand how the body handles a
drug including differences for different age groups and health circumstances; and
pharmacodynamics for what a drug does to the body including side effects. Pharmacology
is fundamental for disease management as well as appreciating medical health and wellness.
This course prepares students for their second and third clinical experiences.
Detailed Description of Course
N/A
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Course content may be presented by lecture, guest speakers, written assignments, small
group interactions, and student oral presentations.
Goals and Objectives of this Course
Will require students to:
1) Describe the basic mechanism of drug action, including the concepts of receptor
sites, drug antagonism, tolerance, allergic reaction, idiosyncrasy, and drug intolerance;
2) Discuss drug absorption and metabolism; 3) Describe routes of administration of
drugs; 4) Describe the nature of prescription vs. nonprescription drugs and the legal
restraints involved; 5) Demonstrate familiarity with commonly prescribed drugs for
selected conditions and observable effects in patients commonly seen by physical therapists
in the clinical setting; 6) Analyze the problems associated with prescription drugs
and the elderly; 7) Examine the role of the physical therapist in applying drugs,
such as phonophoresis and iontophoresis and describe how side effects and reactions
can be monitored; 8) Determine the role of the physical therapist in relationship
to the direct access environment, and the likelihood of requesting specific medications
for use by patients.
Assessment Measures
May include but limited to:
Examinations and written assignments
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
April 30, 2018
February 10, 2014