Outline

Overview

In this unit of study students will develop an understanding of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics principles, including the relationship between molecular structure and drug activity, drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination in the body. The relationship between kinetics and dynamic characteristics and drug use will also be explored. Students will examine the therapeutic use of medicines in nursing practice for the treatment and comprehensive care of people with common diseases and health conditions. In tutorial and workshop sessions, students will be provided with an opportunity to apply the underlying principles of pharmacology to their nursing practice by learning to: Search and apply evidence-based drug information sources for relevant therapeutic information; Apply and integrate evidence-based pharmacological information to case studies to optimise quality use of medicine; and Explore the clinical governance, legal, ethical, and professional requirements associated with the quality use of medicines in nursing practice.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Pharmacy
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	NURS5201
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	NURS5043
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Ronald Castelino, ronald.castelino@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam	Assessment 3: Final Exam Case Based Short Answers Matching Questions	50%	Formal exam period	80 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
In-person written or creative task	Assessment 1: (Quiz 1) Multiple Choice Questions Short Answer Questions Matching Questions	25%	Week 03 Due date: 21 Aug 2026 at 14:00 Closing date: 21 Aug 2026	25 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
In-person written or creative task	Assessment 2: (Quiz 2) Multiple Choice Questions Short Answer Questions Matching Questions	25%	Week 07 Due date: 18 Sep 2026 at 14:00 Closing date: 18 Sep 2026	25 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Assessment 1: Quiz 1
Quiz 1 will be held in Week 3 during tutorial time.
It will consist of multiple choice, drug matching and short answer questions and students will have 25 minutes to complete the assessment. This is a closed book assessment and additional materials including, but not limited to, books, online resources and mobile phones will NOT be permitted.
The quiz may cover any lecture, tutorial and weekly reading content from week -1 to 2 (inclusive).

Assessment 2: Quiz 2
Quiz 2 will be held in Week 07 during tutorial time.
It will consist of multiple choice, drug matching and short answer questions and students will have 25 minutes to complete the assessment. This is a closed book assessment and additional materials including, but not limited to, books, online resources and mobile phones will NOT be permitted.
The quiz may cover any lecture, tutorial and weekly reading content from week 3 to 6 (inclusive).

Assessment 3: Final Exam
The Final Exam is a 1 hour 20 minute closed book exam comprising of:
drug recognition/matching questions short answer case-based and matching questions

Please note: Each student is required to submit all assessment items, and each submission needs to be of an assessable standard, in order to be eligible to pass this unit. Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week -01	Unit of Study Introduction Quality Use of Medicines and Medication Safety	Lecture (2 hr)
Week -01	Introducing drug information sources	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 01	Pharmacokinetics (PK) / Pharmacodynamics (PD)	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Dosage forms and scheduling of drugs	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 02	Diabetes	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Legal requirements for drug handling	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 03	Cardiovascular 1 (CVD risk / hypertension)	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	PK and PD/ Assessment 1	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Cardiovascular 2 (Dyslipidaemia / Coronary heart disease)	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Diabetes	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Cardiovascular 3 (Heart failure / Atrial fibrillation)	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	CVD Risk, Hypertension and Dyslipidaemia	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Kidney Disease (Acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease/kidney replacement therapy)	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Coronary heart disease	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Asthma/COPD	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Heart Failure/ Assessment 2	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Gastrointestinal (GORD/peptic ulcer disease)/ Exam Preparation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Kidney Disease	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Asthma/COPD	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Gastrointestinal (GORD/peptic ulcer disease)	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

The Sydney Nursing School Attendance and Participation Provisions (2026) provide the framework for attendance and participation requirements across all coursework programs. Students are expected to familiarise themselves with these provisions, which outline their responsibilities for attending and participating in required learning activities, as well as the processes to follow if they are unable to attend.

View the SNS Attendance and Participation Provisions (2026):
Faculty of Medicine and Health – Sydney Nursing School – Attendance and Participation Provisions 2026

Attendance and Class Requirements

Attendance: Attendance and participation are monitored. Students are expected to attend, engage, and participate in scheduled classes and required learning activities. Students must notify the School if they are, or will be, unable to attend a required learning activity, and where appropriate, apply for Special Consideration, Special Arrangements, or have an approved Academic Plan with relevant adjustments.

(a) Students who fail to attend a required learning activity will be recorded as absent.

(b) Students must attend and participate in a minimum of 90% of all tutorial classes scheduled for the unit of study.

(c) At the discretion of the Unit of Study Coordinator, where appropriate, an alternative (catch-up) learning activity may be approved and provided to students who are absent from tutorials due to unforeseen circumstances or an approved planned absence:

(i) A maximum of two tutorial absences per unit of study may be approved where an alternative (catch-up) learning activity is completed.
(ii) Where a student satisfactorily completes an approved alternative learning activity, their attendance will be recorded accordingly.

(d) Students must attend and participate in all practical classes (simulation laboratories and/or workshops) scheduled for the unit of study.

(e) At the discretion of the Unit of Study Coordinator, where appropriate, an alternative (catch-up) learning activity may be approved and provided to students who are absent from practical classes due to unforeseen circumstances or an approved planned absence:

(i) A maximum of two practical class absences per unit of study may be approved where an alternative (catch-up) learning activity is completed.
(ii) Where a student satisfactorily completes an approved alternative learning activity, their attendance will be recorded accordingly.

(f) Students must attend and participate in any live/synchronous lectures, and view any recorded lectures, where these are specified as compulsory for the unit of study.

Note: Students must apply for Special Consideration if they are absent from any scheduled required learning activity that includes an assessment.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Please see canvas site for compulsory and optional readings.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Demonstrate an understanding of how pharmacotherapeutic agents affect the body in health and disease, in conditions affecting the endocrine, cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal, and respiratory systems.
LO2. Describe the mechanism of action of some common pharmacotherapeutic agents and distinguish their associated risks and benefits.
LO3. Demonstrate an understanding of how pharmacotherapeutic agents are absorbed, distributed, metabolised and excreted from the body and factors that influence clinical response.
LO4. Appreciate the importance of quality use of medicines and critically appraise and integrate evidence-based information sources to support decision-making that optimises medication safety and nurses’ quality use of medicines.
LO5. Demonstrate and defend the clinical governance, legal, ethical, social, and professional requirements associated with the use of pharmacotherapy in healthcare and nursing practice.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice 4.2. Uses a range of assessment techniques to systematically collect relevant and accurate information and data to inform practice 5.1. Uses assessment data and best available evidence to develop a plan 6.1. Provides comprehensive safe, quality practice to achieve agreed goals and outcomes that are responsive to the nursing needs of people 6.2. Practises within their scope of practice
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice 6.1. Provides comprehensive safe, quality practice to achieve agreed goals and outcomes that are responsive to the nursing needs of people 6.2. Practises within their scope of practice 6.5. Practises in accordance with relevant nursing and health guidelines, standards, regulations and legislation
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice 5.1. Uses assessment data and best available evidence to develop a plan 6.1. Provides comprehensive safe, quality practice to achieve agreed goals and outcomes that are responsive to the nursing needs of people 6.2. Practises within their scope of practice 6.5. Practises in accordance with relevant nursing and health guidelines, standards, regulations and legislation 7.1. Evaluates and monitors progress towards the expected goals and outcomes 7.2. Revises the plan based on the evaluation
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice 1.5. Uses ethical frameworks when making decisions 4.1. Conducts assessments that are holistic as well as culturally appropriate 4.2. Uses a range of assessment techniques to systematically collect relevant and accurate information and data to inform practice 5.1. Uses assessment data and best available evidence to develop a plan 5.3. Documents, evaluates and modifies plans accordingly to facilitate the agreed outcomes 6.1. Provides comprehensive safe, quality practice to achieve agreed goals and outcomes that are responsive to the nursing needs of people 6.2. Practises within their scope of practice 6.5. Practises in accordance with relevant nursing and health guidelines, standards, regulations and legislation 7.1. Evaluates and monitors progress towards the expected goals and outcomes 7.2. Revises the plan based on the evaluation
	Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - 1.3. Respects all cultures and experiences, which includes responding to the role of family and community that underpin the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of other cultures 1.5. Uses ethical frameworks when making decisions 6.1. Provides comprehensive safe, quality practice to achieve agreed goals and outcomes that are responsive to the nursing needs of people 6.2. Practises within their scope of practice 6.5. Practises in accordance with relevant nursing and health guidelines, standards, regulations and legislation

Registered Nurses Standards for Practice -

Competency code	Taught, Practiced or Assessed	Competency standard
1.1		Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice
1.3		Respects all cultures and experiences, which includes responding to the role of family and community that underpin the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of other cultures
1.5		Uses ethical frameworks when making decisions
4.1		Conducts assessments that are holistic as well as culturally appropriate
4.2		Uses a range of assessment techniques to systematically collect relevant and accurate information and data to inform practice
4.3		Works in partnership to determine factors that affect, or potentially affect, the health and well being of people and populations to determine priorities for action and/or for referral
5.1		Uses assessment data and best available evidence to develop a plan
5.2		Collaboratively constructs nursing practice plans until contingencies, options priorities, goals, actions, outcomes and timeframes are agreed with the relevant persons
5.3		Documents, evaluates and modifies plans accordingly to facilitate the agreed outcomes
6.1		Provides comprehensive safe, quality practice to achieve agreed goals and outcomes that are responsive to the nursing needs of people
6.2		Practises within their scope of practice
6.5		Practises in accordance with relevant nursing and health guidelines, standards, regulations and legislation
7.1		Evaluates and monitors progress towards the expected goals and outcomes
7.2		Revises the plan based on the evaluation

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the first time this unit has been offered.

Additional information

Sensitive materials in teaching: Please note that in this Unit of Study sensitive and potentially distressing or disturbing content might be presented and/or discussed from time to time. This may include reference to for example, discrimination, assault, suicide, illness, death and dying or culturally sensitive issues. These topics are relevant to your learning and your knowledge and skill development for nursing practice.

You will be advised before the information/topic is presented. If you are participating in the teaching session/activity online, you are advised to use headphones and ensure that anyone not participating in the session cannot see images that you may be watching on your device. If the nature of the content makes you fee uncomfortable or distressed, it is important that you contact the unit coordinator or another member of the academic team to discuss this with them.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

NURS5205: Pharmacotherapeutics for Nursing

Semester 2, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links