Unit PHARMACOLOGY AND NURSING SEMEIOTICS

GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY (MODULE 1)

Code	GP001729
Location	PERUGIA
CFU	1
Teacher	Claudia Volpi
Teachers	Claudia Volpi
Hours	15 ore - Claudia Volpi
Learning activities	Base
Area	Primo soccorso
Sector	BIOS-11/A
Type of study-unit	Obbligatorio (Required)
Language of instruction	Italian
Contents	General principles of pharmacology. Definition and classification of drugs. Routes of administration and pharmaceutical formulations. Pharmacokinetics: drug absorption, bioavailability, distribution, plasma protein binding, metabolism, and elimination. Main pharmacokinetic parameters and elements of clinical pharmacokinetics. Physiological and pathological factors influencing drug response: age, pregnancy, hepatic and renal impairment. Individual variability in drug response and principles of pharmacogenomics applied to drug metabolism. Drug interactions, adverse drug reactions, and principles of pharmacovigilance. Safety in the management and administration of drug therapy in nursing practice.
Reference texts	Farmacologia generale e molecolare. Fondamenti. Fumagalli, Clementi. Edra
Educational objectives	The course aims to provide students with the fundamental knowledge of general pharmacology and pharmacokinetics necessary to understand the principles of safe and effective drug use in nursing practice. At the end of the course, students will be able to: understand the principles of pharmacokinetics related to drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination; know the main factors influencing drug response and interindividual variability; understand the clinical significance of drug interactions and adverse drug reactions; acquire basic knowledge of the principles of pharmacogenomics applied to drug metabolism; understand the principles of safety, appropriateness, and pharmacovigilance in drug therapy management; integrate pharmacological knowledge with nursing care practice, with particular attention to the correct management and administration of medications.
Prerequisites	Basic knowledge of biology, anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry is required.
Teaching methods	The course consists of lectures supported by multimedia teaching materials (slides, diagrams, and supplementary materials). During the lectures, practical examples related to drug therapy management and safety in medication administration in nursing practice will be discussed. Teaching activities will promote the integration of pharmacological knowledge with nursing care practice, with particular attention to proper drug management, prevention of medication errors, and monitoring of adverse drug reactions.
Other information	Teaching materials used during the course, including presentations and supplementary materials, will be made available to students through institutional online platforms.
Learning verification modality	Learning assessment will be carried out through a written multiple-choice test administered via the LibreeOL platform. The examination, integrated with the courses of Nursing Methodology and Dietary Sciences, will assess the knowledge of the fundamental principles of general pharmacology and pharmacokinetics, the understanding of safety aspects in drug therapy management, and the ability to apply the acquired knowledge to nursing care practice.
Extended program	Introduction to general pharmacology. Definition of drug, medicinal product, and active principle. Drug classification. Pharmaceutical formulations and routes of administration. Principles of pharmacokinetics. Drug absorption and factors affecting it. Bioavailability and bioequivalence. Drug distribution within body compartments and plasma protein binding. Drug metabolism: phase I and phase II reactions, drug-metabolizing enzymes, and enzyme induction/inhibition. Renal and hepatic drug elimination. Half-life and clearance. Variability in drug response. Physiological and pathological factors affecting pharmacokinetics and drug response: age, sex, pregnancy, hepatic and renal impairment. Principles of pharmacogenomics and interindividual variability in drug metabolism. Drug interactions. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions. Interactions between drugs, food, and self-medication products. Adverse drug reactions and pharmacovigilance. Classification of adverse drug reactions. Drug toxicity. Principles of pharmacovigilance and adverse reaction reporting. Safety in drug therapy management. Principles of therapeutic appropriateness and patient safety. Medication errors and prevention of clinical risk. The nurse’s role in drug preparation, management, and administration.
Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile	Goal 3: Health and well-being

GENERAL PHARMACOLOGY (MODULE 2)

Code	GP001730
Location	PERUGIA
CFU	1
Teacher	Claudia Volpi
Teachers	Claudia Volpi
Hours	15 ore - Claudia Volpi
Learning activities	Caratterizzante
Area	Scienze medico-chirurgiche
Sector	BIOS-11/A
Type of study-unit	Obbligatorio (Required)
Language of instruction	Italian
Contents	Principles of pharmacodynamics: mechanisms of drug action and major pharmacological targets. Pharmacological receptors, signal transduction, and receptor regulation. Agonists, antagonists, and allosteric modulators. Graded and quantal dose-response relationships. Potency, efficacy, therapeutic index, and therapeutic window. Variability in drug response, tolerance, tachyphylaxis, and desensitization. Pharmacodynamic interactions, therapeutic effects, and toxic effects of drugs. Adverse drug reactions and safety of drug therapy. Principles of pharmacovigilance.
Reference texts	Farmacologia generale e molecolare. Fondamenti. Fumagalli Clementi. EDRA
Educational objectives	The course aims to provide students with the fundamental knowledge of pharmacodynamics required to understand drug mechanisms of action and the main factors influencing drug response. At the end of the course, students will be able to: understand the main mechanisms of drug action and the role of pharmacological receptors; know the concepts of agonism, antagonism, and receptor modulation; interpret dose-response relationships and understand the concepts of efficacy, potency, therapeutic index, and therapeutic window; understand the main mechanisms responsible for variability in drug response; know the phenomena of tolerance, tachyphylaxis, and desensitization; understand the clinical significance of pharmacodynamic interactions and adverse drug reactions; acquire basic knowledge of the principles of safety and pharmacovigilance; integrate pharmacodynamic knowledge with nursing care practice.
Prerequisites	Basic knowledge of biology, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and general pharmacology is required.
Teaching methods	The course consists of lectures supported by multimedia teaching materials (slides, diagrams, and supplementary materials). During the lectures, practical examples aimed at understanding drug mechanisms of action and the main factors influencing drug response will be discussed. Teaching activities will promote the integration of pharmacodynamic knowledge with nursing care practice, with particular attention to the safety of drug therapy and the monitoring of therapeutic and adverse drug effects.
Other information	Teaching materials used during the course, including presentations and supplementary materials, will be made available to students through institutional online platforms.
Learning verification modality	Learning assessment will be carried out through a written multiple-choice test administered via the LibreeOL platform. The examination, integrated with the courses of Nursing Methodology and Dietary Sciences, will assess the knowledge of the fundamental principles of pharmacodynamics, the understanding of drug mechanisms of action, and the ability to apply the acquired knowledge to nursing care practice.
Extended program	Introduction to pharmacodynamics. General principles of drug mechanisms of action. Major pharmacological targets: receptors, enzymes, ion channels, and transporters. Pharmacological receptors and signal transduction. Classification of pharmacological receptors. Ionotropic, metabotropic, intracellular, and enzyme-linked receptors. Signal transduction mechanisms and second messengers. Agonism and antagonism. Full and partial agonists, competitive and non-competitive antagonists, inverse agonists, and allosteric modulators. Dose-response relationship. Graded and quantal dose-response curves. Drug potency and efficacy. Therapeutic index and therapeutic window. Variability in drug response. Factors influencing drug response. Drug tolerance, tachyphylaxis, desensitization, and receptor regulation. Pharmacodynamic interactions. Synergism, additivity, and pharmacological antagonism. Main clinical implications of pharmacodynamic interactions. Therapeutic and adverse effects. Therapeutic effects, side effects, toxicity, and adverse drug reactions. Relationship between dose, efficacy, and toxicity. Pharmacovigilance and drug safety. Principles of pharmacovigilance and drug safety monitoring. The nurse’s role in the observation and management of pharmacological effects and adverse drug reactions.
Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile	Goal 3: health and well being

NURSING METHODOLOGY II

Code	GP001731
Location	PERUGIA
CFU	2
Teacher	Claudia Volpi
Learning activities	Caratterizzante
Area	Management sanitario
Sector	MEDS-24/C
Type of study-unit	Obbligatorio (Required)

Canale B

CFU

2

Teacher

Jacopo Bartoccini

Teachers

• Jacopo Bartoccini

Hours

• 30 ore - Jacopo Bartoccini

Canale A

CFU

2

Teacher

Marta Pastorelli

Teachers

• Marta Pastorelli

Hours

• 30 ore - Marta Pastorelli

Language of instruction

Italian

Contents

The module explores the nursing process as the disciplinary method for clinical decision-making and problem-solving in nursing care. It examines the principles of clinical reasoning and the phases of the nursing process, with particular emphasis on assessment, formulation of nursing diagnoses, definition of expected outcomes, and planning of nursing interventions according to the best available evidence, professional standards, clinical practice guidelines, and the Code of Ethics.

The course develops competencies in identifying the most common priority nursing care problems, applying standardized nursing classifications, documenting the nursing process, and evaluating care outcomes, while promoting continuity of care and effective interprofessional collaboration.

The module also addresses the principles of the therapeutic relationship and transpersonal caring, with particular attention to the ethical, professional, and human values that guide clinical judgment and decision-making in different care settings.

Special emphasis is placed on health promotion and therapeutic education through the identification of the educational needs of individuals, families, and communities, the application of appropriate health education methods and tools, and the evaluation of educational interventions and their outcomes.

The course further examines the legal and regulatory framework governing professional nursing responsibility, the roles and competencies of health, social, and social care professionals, and organizational models that support multidisciplinary collaboration and continuity of care between hospital and community settings, with particular reference to the management of chronic conditions.

Finally, the module covers the principles of patient safety, Clinical Risk Management, and risk management strategies. It focuses on current legislation, patient safety best practices, methods for identifying, analyzing, and preventing clinical risks, and the specific contribution of nurses to quality improvement and the promotion of safe, evidence-based healthcare.

Reference texts

Herdman, T.H., Kamitsuru, S., Lopes, C.T.
Diagnosi Infermieristiche. Definizioni e classificazione 2021-2023.
12ª edizione. Rozzano (MI): CEA – Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, 2021.
Saiani, L., Brugnolli, A. (a cura di)
Trattato di Cure Infermieristiche.
3ª edizione. Napoli: Edizioni Idelson-Gnocchi, 2021.
In particolare:
Tomo I: Capitoli 6, 7, 13, 15, 16
Tomo II: Capitoli 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Badon, P.L., Canesi, M., Monterosso, A., Pelegatta, F. (a cura di)
Procedure Infermieristiche.
Rozzano (MI): CEA – Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, 2018.
In particolare:
Capitoli 4 e 5
Schede operative: 29-35, 40, 41, 43, 44, 45, 107, 117, 125, 140
Appendici da A2 ad A7
Gordon, M.
Capitolo 5 – Modelli funzionali della salute: una struttura per l’accertamento.
In: Gordon M. Diagnosi infermieristiche. Processo e applicazioni.
Rozzano (MI): CEA – Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, 2009.
Wilkinson, J.M., Treas, L.S., Barnett, K.L., Smith, M.H.
Fondamenti di assistenza infermieristica.
Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, 2022. Distribuzione esclusiva Zanichelli.
Craven, R.F., Hirnle, C.J., Henshaw, C.M.
Principi fondamentali dell’assistenza infermieristica.
Con contenuto digitale. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana.
Materiale didattico integrativo
Dispense, approfondimenti e materiali di studio predisposti dal docente e messi a disposizione degli studenti tramite piattaforma didattica di Ateneo.

Educational objectives

The course contributes to the achievement of the educational objectives of the Bachelor's Degree in Nursing by providing students with the theoretical knowledge and methodological foundations required to apply the nursing process as the disciplinary framework for identifying health needs and planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing care. The course aims to develop clinical reasoning and decision-making skills, promoting an evidence-based approach grounded in professional standards, ethical and deontological principles, and current legislation.

The course also fosters the acquisition of the competencies required to practice safely in different healthcare settings, collaborate effectively with healthcare, social, and social care professionals, promote continuity of care between hospital and community services, and contribute to clinical risk prevention and the continuous improvement of healthcare quality.

Expected Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will have acquired the following knowledge and competencies.

Knowledge

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

the principles of the nursing process and clinical reasoning;
nursing diagnoses, nursing outcomes, and nursing interventions according to the major standardized nursing classification systems;
professional standards, scientific evidence, clinical practice guidelines, and best practices for planning nursing care;
the principles of the therapeutic relationship and transpersonal caring;
the fundamentals of therapeutic education, health promotion, and effective communication with patients, families, and communities;
the legal and regulatory framework governing professional nursing responsibility, patient safety, and the protection of individuals receiving care;
the roles and competencies of healthcare, social care, and social-health professionals within integrated care pathways;
the main organizational models supporting continuity of care between hospital and community services, particularly in the management of chronic conditions;
the principles of Clinical Risk Management, clinical risk analysis, and strategies for preventing adverse events.
Skills (Applied Knowledge and Understanding)

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

apply the nursing process to make clinical decisions and solve nursing care problems;
assess patients' nursing care needs and formulate appropriate nursing diagnoses;
establish measurable nursing outcomes and plan nursing interventions based on scientific evidence, professional standards, and clinical practice guidelines;
accurately document the nursing process and evaluate nursing care outcomes;
communicate effectively with patients, families, and healthcare professionals to promote continuity of care;
establish and maintain a therapeutic relationship based on respect for the dignity, values, and autonomy of the individual;
design, implement, and evaluate health education and health promotion interventions;
practice in accordance with current legislation and the ethical and professional standards governing nursing practice;
collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary and interprofessional healthcare teams across different care settings;
recognize the main clinical risk factors, apply patient safety best practices, and contribute to risk prevention and management activities.
Autonomy of Judgment

Students will be able to exercise professional judgment in nursing care, make decisions consistent with ethical principles, professional values, and legal requirements, and critically evaluate nursing interventions based on the best available scientific evidence.

Communication Skills

Students will be able to communicate effectively with patients, caregivers, and members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team, accurately document the nursing process, and facilitate the exchange of information necessary to ensure continuity and quality of care.

Learning Skills

Students will develop the ability to independently update and expand their professional knowledge through the critical appraisal of scientific literature, clinical practice guidelines, and current legislation, integrating new evidence into clinical practice and contributing to the continuous improvement of nursing care quality.

Teaching methods

Classroom lectures covering all course topics, clinical case-based exercises, and in-depth learning sessions.

Learning verification modality

Attendance is compulsory according to the regulations established by the Degree Programme. The assessment of learning is integrated into the final examination of the course Nursing Methodology II, which includes the contributions of the different disciplinary modules belonging to the area of nursing methodology.

The integrated examination aims to assess the acquisition of theoretical knowledge, the ability to apply the nursing disciplinary method, and the competencies required to identify care needs, plan nursing interventions, and evaluate care outcomes, in accordance with the educational objectives of the course and the professional profile of the nurse.

The examination consists of a computer-based written test, administered through the LibreEOL platform, consisting of a total of 30 single-answer questions, with the number of questions related to this specific course proportionally allocated according to the assigned ECTS credits.

The questions are structured as closed-ended questions with closed responses, providing only one correct answer among the proposed alternatives. This assessment method allows for a structured and standardized evaluation of students’ acquisition of disciplinary knowledge, their ability to recognize care situations, apply nursing methodological principles, and identify interventions consistent with professional standards, scientific evidence, ethical principles, and regulatory requirements.

Each correct answer is awarded 1 point, while each incorrect or unanswered question receives 0 points. No penalties are applied for incorrect answers.

The total duration of the examination is determined according to the overall number of questions and the organizational procedures of the integrated examination. Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD/DSA) are provided with the compensatory and supportive measures established by current legislation and agreed upon with the relevant university services, including the possible allocation of additional time to complete the test.

Assessment Criteria

The evaluation of the examination is based on the number of correct answers provided by the student and the resulting overall score achieved in the integrated examination.

Passing the examination and assigning the final grade for the integrated exam are carried out according to the criteria established by the Degree Programme, taking into account the contribution of the individual courses/modules.

The assessment method is considered appropriate for verifying the expected learning outcomes, as it allows evaluation of:

knowledge of the principles of nursing methodology;
the ability to identify nursing care problems and nursing diagnoses;
understanding of the nursing decision-making process;
the ability to identify appropriate nursing interventions based on scientific evidence, clinical guidelines, and professional principles;
knowledge of aspects related to professional responsibility, patient safety, and continuity of care.

The selected assessment method is consistent with the educational objectives of the course, as it allows verification of the achievement of the expected learning outcomes related to knowledge and understanding, the ability to apply acquired knowledge, and the development of clinical-assistential reasoning required for professional nursing practice.

Extended program

## **Course Contents**

### **1. Introduction to the Nursing Care Process and Assessment Methods**

* Introduction to the Nursing Care Process and assessment methods: observation, interview, structured assessment tools, scales, questionnaires, and physical examination.
* Functional health patterns according to the **Gordon–Carpenito methodology** applied to the nursing care process.

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### **2. Vital Signs**

* Definition and purpose of vital signs assessment; signs and symptoms of alterations.
* General principles for measuring vital signs in hospital and home care settings.
* Assessment of pulse, blood pressure measurement, and respiratory rate assessment.

### **Thermoregulation**

* Factors influencing body temperature.
* Alterations in body temperature.
* Nursing process applied to ineffective thermoregulation problems: nursing diagnoses and nursing interventions.

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### **3. Safe Management of Pharmacological Therapy**

* Principles of safe medication management.
* Prevention of medication errors and promotion of patient safety during drug administration.

---

### **4. Introduction to Nursing Pain Assessment**

* Basic principles of pain assessment in nursing care.
* Pain assessment methods and tools.

---

### **5. Oxygenation and Respiratory Function**

* Characteristics of normal breathing in relation to sex, age, physical condition, and psychological status.
* Factors influencing respiratory function.
* Definition of the main manifestations of impaired respiratory function: signs and symptoms.
* Characteristics of breathing patterns and main respiratory alterations.
* Measurement of oxygen saturation.
* Abnormal breathing patterns.
* Nursing process applied to respiratory problems: nursing diagnoses and nursing interventions.

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### **6. Main Alterations of the Gastrointestinal System**

* Common signs and symptoms affecting the upper gastrointestinal tract.
* Vomiting: types, characteristics, complications, and nursing interventions.
* Bowel elimination: factors influencing intestinal elimination.
* Alterations in bowel function.
* Common signs and symptoms associated with intestinal disorders.
* Nursing process applied to bowel elimination problems: nursing diagnoses and nursing interventions.

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### **7. Urinary Elimination**

* Urination and characteristics of normal urine.
* Factors influencing urinary elimination.
* Alterations in urinary function: signs and symptoms.
* Nursing process applied to urinary elimination problems: nursing diagnoses and nursing interventions.

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### **8. Mobility and Maintenance of an Adequate Posture**

* Normal mobility.
* Factors influencing mobility.
* Impaired mobility and its manifestations: signs and symptoms.
* Systemic and psychosocial effects of immobility.
* Nursing process applied to mobility problems: nursing diagnoses and nursing interventions.

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### **9. Sleep and Rest**

* Factors influencing sleep and rest.
* Sleep and rest alterations: signs and symptoms.
* Nursing process applied to sleep/rest problems: nursing diagnoses and nursing interventions.

Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile

3 – Good Health and Well-being
10 – Reduced Inequalities

NUTRITIONAL SCIENCES

Code	GP001732
Location	PERUGIA
CFU	1
Teacher	Claudia Volpi
Learning activities	Caratterizzante
Area	Prevenzione servizi sanitari e radioprotezione
Sector	MEDS-08/C
Type of study-unit	Obbligatorio (Required)

Canale B

CFU

1

Teacher

Chiara Perrone

Teachers

• Chiara Perrone

Hours

• 15 ore - Chiara Perrone

Canale A

CFU

1

Teacher

Natascia Capitini

Teachers

• Natascia Capitini

Hours

• 15 ore - Natascia Capitini