1. PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PROGRAM
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
Ft. Lauderdale
Course Syllabus
I. Course Title: PAC 5407 Clinical Pharmacology
II. Course Director: Steve Sager, MPAS, PA-C
Terry building, 2nd Floor, Room 1283
(954) 262-1236
ssager@nsu.nova.edu
III. Meeting Times: Refer to the WebEvent online calendar
IV. Instructors' Office Hours: By appointment.
V. Course Description: At the completion of this course, students will be able to
appropriately prescribe medications in various clinical settings. Preparation for appropriate
prescribing and administration of medicines is accomplished by studying drug classifications,
pharmacodynamic actions, and the rationale for therapeutic use of prescription and non-
prescription medications. In addition, students will be able to describe the potential advantages
and disadvantages of specific therapeutic regimens, universal indications and contraindications
for usage, dosing schedules, and the relative cost of commonly prescribed medications. Students
will administer a variety of medications using patient simulators and will observe the clinical
response. Common errors involving prescription writing will be discussed and practical
exercises will require students to accurately write prescriptions and treatment orders.
VI. Course Goals: This course will enhance the fund of knowledge acquired in Pharmacology
and Clinical Medicine & Surgery upon which to build during clinical rotations. Provide a
specific understanding of the clinical aspects of the pharmacological treatment of the common
illnesses/diseases which are presented.
VII. Course Objectives:
1. Acquire a basic knowledge of pharmacotherapy as it relates to drug metabolism,
pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics.
2. Acquire a basic knowledge of the common pharmacotherapies utilized in the
treatment(s) of the disease.
3. Acquire the fundamental knowledge required to evaluate and manage patient's
pharmacological therapies associated with acute or chronic disorders.
4. Integrate the knowledge gained in basic science courses and other physician
assistant program courses to develop clinical pharmacological treatment
strategies.
Revised: 4/8/2009

2. VIII. Learning Objectives:
Define basic terminology and explain each process as it relates to pharmacokinetics and
pharmacodynamics to include absorption, bioavailability, distribution, metabolism,
excretion, clearance.
Identify and describe different types of medical and prescriptive errors as they relate to
clinical pharmacology.
Identify the potential impacts of medical and prescriptive errors on society and health
care providers.
Discuss the legal aspects affecting medication administration including drug scheduling
and federal, state, and institutional regulations regarding dispensing.
Identify common medical and prescriptive errors.
Describe strategies that are designed to reduce medical and prescriptive errors.
Identify the drug class, generic name, brand name, and dosing of commonly prescribed
medications in the following therapeutic sections:
a. pain management h. immunologic disorders
b. allergic disorders i. infectious diseases
c. cardiovascular disease j. musculoskeletal disorders
d. dermatological disorders k. obstetrics & gynecology
e. HEENT disorders l. pulmonary disease
f. endocrine disorders m. genitourinary disorders
g. gastrointestinal disorders n. psychological disorders
Identify the indications and contraindications for commonly prescribed medications.
Identify the precautions, interactions, and adverse reactions for commonly prescribed
medications.
Identify the pregnancy category for commonly prescribed medications.
Demonstrate proficiency at writing errorless prescriptions.
Write errorless prescriptions for appropriate medications as part of the treatment plan for
specific medical conditions.
Write errorless medication orders as part of a simulated inpatient’s admission orders.
Demonstrate the ability to provide appropriate patient counseling concerning the various
risks and benefits of pharmacotherapy.
Advance your clinical skills as it relates to the pharmacologic treatment of patients.
Given a clinical scenario, select the appropriate pharmacologic management for the
following therapeutic sections:
a. pain management h. immunologic disorders
b. allergic disorders i. infectious diseases
c. cardiovascular disease j. musculoskeletal disorders
d. dermatological disorders k. obstetrics & gynecology
e. HEENT disorders l. pulmonary disease
f. endocrine disorders m. genitourinary disorders
g. gastrointestinal disorders n. psychological disorders
Accurately identify common & serious adverse events related to the pharmacologic
management of Arrhythmias, CHF & Angina.
Revised: 4/8/2009

3. IX. Textbooks:
Recommended:
Harvey RA, Champe PC, Howland RD, Mycek MJ. Lippincott’s Illustrated Reviews:
Pharmacology. 3rd ed. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2006.
(ISBN 13: 978-0-7817-4118-7)
Edmunds MW. Introduction to Clinical Pharmacology. 5th ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby
Publishing; 2006. (ISBN 13: 978-0-3230-2875-2)
Raffa RB, Rawls SM, & Beyzarov EP. Netter’s Illustrated Pharmacology. Philadelphia:
Elsevier Publishing. 2005. (ISBN 13: 978-1-9290-0760-4)
Physician Assistant’s Prescribing Reference. New York, NY: Prescribing References, Inc.
X. Evaluation Procedures:
A total of four (4) examinations will be given. No examination grades will be dropped in
calculation of the final grade. Examinations in PAC 5407 will be given during the scheduled
testing periods. The tests will be multiple choice questions based upon information presented in
class, reading assignments, and handouts. Up to 20% of questions may come from information
in the required readings and not from the lecture notes. A minimum grade of 75% (C) must be
achieved to pass the course.
Quizzes – will be administered using audience response devices (“clickers”) and will be given
prior to each lecture for each system discussed. The quizzes will be multiple choice questions
based upon information presented in class, reading assignments, and handouts. Advanced
reading of the material prior to the lecture is required. (Responding to questions asked during the
lectures will be counted as part of the class participation grade.)
The final course grade will be calculated based on the following percentages:
Quizzes 20%
Four written exams 15% each
Take home assignments 10%
Classroom participation 10%
XI. Attendance policy:
Student attendance at all lectures is mandatory. Attendance rolls will be taken. Tardiness
will not be tolerated. Tardy students will not be permitted to enter the classroom. However, if the
student is denied entry into the lecture because of tardiness, he/she will be permitted to enter the
classroom during the next class break. Absences can affect the medical fund of knowledge you
will require for the clinical portion of your training. Absences will result in a reduction of your
grade for in-class participation.
Revised: 4/8/2009

4. XII. Course Policies:
Student participation in the classroom and laboratory are essential to achieve the course
objectives. It is expected that all students will engage in reading, critical thinking, and problem
solving throughout this course. Several strategies will be employed to facilitate this process:
All reading assignments are to be completed prior to lecture.
Students will be randomly called upon to answer questions in class and lab.
Participation is essential insure learning and is expected of every student throughout the
course. While in the classroom, students will be selected at random to answer questions
concerning the reading material.
Knowing the quot;rightquot; answer is less important than being able to quot;think throughquot; an
answer.
The required textbooks will serve as the authoritative answer to a clinical problem if not
addressed in lecture or written handout.
Please refer to the Academic Year Handbook concerning the policies and
procedures for missed exams and for documenting and reporting all absences.
In addition, immediately notify the course director via phone call of any missed
lectures, exams, or labs.
XIII. Classroom Behavior and Conduct
Professional behavior and decorum is a requirement for successful completion of this
course. This will be evaluated in both the classroom and in associated encounters with the
instructor and/or staff. Failure to adhere to this standard, regardless of academic
achievement in the course, will subject the individual to referral for possible disciplinary
action and/or dismissal.
**THE COURSE DIRECTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE REVISIONS TO
THIS SYLLABUS AT ANY TIME.**
Revised: 4/8/2009