Revised 08/2025

HIM 260 - Pharmacology for Health Information Management (3 CR.)

Course Description

Emphasizes general pharmacology for health information professions; covers general principles of drug actions/reactions, major drug classes, specific agents within each class and routine mathematical calculation needed to determine desired dosages. Lecture 3 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

The purpose of this course is to educate students about the basics of pharmacology. Emphasis is placed on knowledge of the major drug groups which includes the drug use, dose, adverse drug reactions, and side effects that are pertinent to physiological and biochemical changes occurring during the disease and recovery state. 

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

All students should have a background in anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology. 

HIM program placed students only:

Prerequisites/corequisites for HIM AAS students are BIO 142, HIM 110, HIM 130, HIM 141, HIM 142, HIM 220, HIM 226, HIM 250 or permission of instructor. The course will be offered to any student who meets the prerequisites/co-requisites and is program placed in the Health Information Management (HIM) program. 

CDC program placed students only:

Prerequisites/corequisites for CDC students are ENG 111, HIM 111, HIM 141, HIM 250, HIM 110, HIM 199, HIM 254, HIM 255 or permission of instructor. The course will be offered to any student who meets the prerequisites/co-requisites and is program placed in the Clinical Data Coding (CDC) program.

Course Objectives

Upon completing the course, the student will be able to:

  • Trace the historical development of pharmacology and explain the significance of key drug legislation and regulatory bodies (e.g., FDA, DEA).
  • Describe drug classification systems and distinguish between chemical, generic, trade, and official drug names.
  • Explain the significance of drug standards (e.g., USP/NF), orphan drugs, and controlled substance schedules I–V.
  • Interpret medication naming conventions, including Tall Man Lettering and numeric modifiers in trade names.
  • Differentiate between over-the-counter, prescription (legend), off-label, and controlled drugs and explain implications for use.
  • Identify and evaluate professional responsibilities related to drug administration and compliance with legal and ethical standards.
  • Describe the sources, forms, and routes of drug administration and analyze how they affect absorption and therapeutic outcomes.
  • Define and explain the pharmacokinetic processes (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) and analyze factors that influence drug action and patient response.
  • Identify variables (e.g., age, weight, comorbidities) that affect drug therapy and categorize common adverse drug reactions (ADRs).
  • Interpret medication orders accurately and apply standard abbreviations, symbols, and terminology to ensure safe administration.
  • Convert between measurement systems and perform dosage calculations using various methods for adult, pediatric, and geriatric populations.
  • List and apply the Seven Rights of Medication Administration and identify strategies to reduce medication errors and enhance safety.
  • Demonstrate correct techniques for preparing and administering oral, rectal, injectable, inhaled, transdermal, and enteral medications (e.g., PEG, NGT).
  • Select and use appropriate equipment for medication preparation and administration, including syringes, needles, ampules, and vials.
  • Describe the pharmacologic principles and nursing considerations for medications affecting major body systems.
  • Identify and describe appropriate use, side effects, precautions, and patient education for medications in each of the above categories.
  • Explain emergency response protocols for poisonings and overdoses, including the use of activated charcoal and treatment by route of exposure.
  • Classify and describe the function and clinical use of vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, and antioxidants; explain safety concerns for herbal supplements.
  • Identify key anti-infective drug categories and explain mechanisms, indications, adverse effects, resistance, and patient education.
  • Describe the role of vaccines in disease prevention and explain guidelines for immunization.
  • Explain the pharmacology of antineoplastic and cytotoxic agents and outline safety precautions and patient/family education during treatment.
  • Identify medication-related risks in pediatric and geriatric patients, and describe safe prescribing, dosing, and monitoring practices.
  • Analyze the impact of polypharmacy, drug interactions, and adverse drug reactions in vulnerable populations, and describe strategies for prevention.

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Foundations and history of pharmacology
  • Drug laws and regulatory agencies (FDA, DEA)
  • Drug standards and classification systems
  • Medication naming conventions (Generic, Trade, Tall Man Lettering)
  • Controlled substances and schedules (I–V)
  • Over-the-counter, legend, and off-label drug use
  • Drug references and resources
  • Pharmacokinetics (ADME: Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion)
  • Factors influencing drug action and adverse drug reactions
  • Routes and forms of drug administration
  • Dosage calculations and measurement systems
  • Medication orders and interpretation
  • Legal, ethical, and professional responsibilities
  • Medication safety and error prevention
  • Administration techniques (Oral, IV, IM, Subcutaneous, Topical, Inhalation, Enteral)
  • Toxicology and emergency drug response
  • Vitamins, minerals, and nutritional supplements
  • Herbal products and consumer safety
  • Pharmacology of major body systems
  • Anti-infectives and vaccines
  • Oncology and cytotoxic drug therapy
  • Geriatric and pediatric pharmacology
  • Polypharmacy and medication use in special populations