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Pharmacology for Nurses: A Pathophysiologic Approach, 7th edition

Published by Pearson (July 24, 2024) © 2025

  • Michael P. Adams
  • Norman Holland Hillsborough Community College Ruskin, Florida
  • Shanti Chang George Mason University

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For courses in pharmacology.

A holistic approach to pharmacology essentials

Pharmacology for Nurses: A Pathophysiologic Approach links pharmacology to therapeutic goals, to simplify concepts and add relevance for students. Instead of surveying drug interventions in isolation, the authors examine them in the context of body systems (via units) and diseases (via chapters). They also weigh the impact of alternative therapies, research findings, and cultural and lifespan factors on clinical decisions.

The 7th Edition has been thoroughly updated to reflect considerable changes in pharmacology, including 120 new drugs, since the last edition. New features reflect changes in pharmacotherapeutics and advances in understanding disease.

Hallmark features of this title

Pharmacology contextualized

  • Nursing practice features place drugs in the context of their clinical applications. Examples include Treating the Diverse Patient and Complementary and Alternative Therapies.
  • Pharmacology Illustrated features throughout the text break down complex concepts into easily understood formats.

Pedagogical aids

  • A drug prototype approach eases learning by letting students focus on just one representative drug per class.
  • Patient safety features illustrate potential pitfalls that can lead to medication errors.

Self-assessments

  • End-of-chapter review gauges student comprehension of major concepts.
  • Critical-thinking questions, a patient-focused case study and review questions evaluate students' retention of chapter material.

New and updated features of this title

Patient care considerations

  • NEW: A new Nursing Clinical Judgment feature, seen across medication chapters, reinforces the clinical judgment measurement model. For each topic, students get a concise, one-column summary of best practices for patient assessment, patient-centered care and evaluation of outcomes.
  • EXPANDED: Ten new special features have been added. They address topics such as applying research to nursing practice, community-oriented practice, lifespan considerations and patient safety.

Up-to-date drug coverage

  • EXPANDED: More than 120 new drugs, drug classes, indications and therapies approved since the last edition have been added.
  • NEW: Updated pregnancy information now appears for every prototype drug. This information reflects FDA requirements implemented since the last edition.

Disease-specific interventions

  • NEW: Emerging therapies for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 infections have been added to the antiviral chapter.
  • NEW: Emerging mechanisms in pharmacotherapy are discussed, including use of mRNA vaccines to treat COVID-19 infections, SGLT2 inhibitors for diabetes and CGRP inhibitors for migraine.

Features of MyLab Nursing for the 7th Edition

  • Dynamic Study Modules are adaptive learning modules with remediation. They assess students' performance in real time, while helping them master and retain key concepts.
  • Pearson eTextbook is an easy-to-use digital textbook available within MyLab. It lets students read, highlight and take notes all in one place, even offline.
  • Clinical decision-making case studies hone students' clinical reasoning skills, better preparing them for the situations they'll face in their careers.
  • NCLEX®-style practice questions of various types build student confidence and prepare them for success on the NCLEX-RN® exam.

UNIT 1: CORE CONCEPTS IN PHARMACOLOGY

  1. Introduction to Pharmacology
  2. Drug Approval and Regulation
  3. Principles of Drug Administration
  4. Pharmacokinetics
  5. Pharmacodynamics

UNIT 2: PHARMACOLOGY AND THE NURSE-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP

  1. The Nursing Process and Clinical Judgment Measurement Model in Pharmacology
  2. Medication Errors and Risk Reduction
  3. Drug Administration Throughout the Lifespan
  4. Individual Variations in Drug Response
  5. The Role of Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Pharmacology
  6. Emergency Preparedness and Poisonings

UNIT 3: THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

  1. Cholinergic Drugs Affecting the Autonomic Nervous System
  2. Adrenergic Drugs Affecting the Autonomic Nervous System
  3. Drugs for Anxiety and Sleep Disorders
  4. Drugs for Mood and Behavioral Disorders
  5. Drugs for Psychoses
  6. Drugs for Seizures
  7. Drugs for Pain Management
  8. Drugs for Local and General Anesthesia
  9. Drugs for Degenerative Diseases of the Nervous System
  10. Drugs for Muscle Spasms and Spasticity
  11. Substance Use Disorder

UNIT 4: THE CARDIOVASCULAR AND URINARY SYSTEMS

  1. Drugs for Lipid Disorders
  2. Diuretic Therapy and Drugs for Chronic Kidney Disease
  3. Drugs for Fluid Balance, Electrolyte, and Acid–Base Disorders
  4. Drugs for Hypertension
  5. Drugs for Heart Failure
  6. Drugs for Angina Pectoris and Myocardial Infarction
  7. Drugs for Shock
  8. Drugs for Dysrhythmias
  9. Drugs for Coagulation Disorders
  10. Drugs for Hematopoietic Disorders

UNIT 5: THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

  1. Drugs for Inflammation and Fever
  2. Drugs for Immune System Modulation
  3. Drugs for Bacterial Infections
  4. Drugs for Tubercular, Fungal, Protozoan, and Helminthic Infections
  5. Drugs for Viral Infections
  6. Drugs for Neoplasia

UNIT 6: THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

  1. Drugs for Allergic Rhinitis and the Common Cold
  2. Drugs for Asthma and Other Pulmonary Disorders

UNIT 7: THE GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM

  1. Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease
  2. Drugs for Bowel Disorders and Other Gastrointestinal Conditions
  3. Drugs for Nutritional Disorders

UNIT 8: THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

  1. Drugs for Pituitary, Thyroid, and Adrenal Disorders
  2. Drugs for Diabetes Mellitus
  3. Drugs for Disorders and Conditions of the Female Reproductive System
  4. Drugs for Disorders and Conditions of the Male Reproductive System

UNIT 9: THE INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM, EYES, AND EARS

  1. Drugs for Bone and Joint Disorders
  2. Drugs for Skin Disorders
  3. Drugs for Eye and Ear Disorders

About our authors

Michael Patrick Adams, PhD, is an accomplished educator, author and national speaker. The National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development in Austin, Texas, named him a Master Teacher. He has published two other textbooks with Pearson Publishing: Core Concepts in Pharmacology and Pharmacology: Connections to Nursing Practice. Dr. Adams obtained his master's degree in pharmacology from Michigan State University and his doctorate in education from the University of South Florida. He was on the faculty of Lansing Community College and St. Petersburg College and served as Dean of Health Professions at Pasco-Hernando State College for 15 years. He is currently Adjunct Professor of Biological Sciences at Hillsborough Community College. Dr. Adams volunteers at the St. Petersburg Free Clinic, which provides medical care to adults with no health insurance.

Leland Norman (Norm) Holland, Jr., PhD, over 25 years ago, started out like many scientists, planning for a career in basic science research. He was quickly drawn to the field of teaching in higher medical education, where he has spent most of his career. Among the areas where he has been particularly effective are preparatory programs in nursing, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and allied health. Dr. Holland is both a professor and supporter in nursing education nationwide. He brings to the profession a depth of knowledge in biology, chemistry and medically related subjects, such as microbiology, biological chemistry and pharmacology. Dr. Holland's doctoral degree is in medical pharmacology. He is very much dedicated to the success of students and their preparation for careers in health care. He continues to motivate students in the lifelong pursuit of learning.

Shanti Ellen Chang, DNP, MSHI, FNP-BC, Assistant Professor, is a Family Nurse Practitioner and Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Director at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. She started working in healthcare 15 years ago and now leads an interprofessional telehealth clinic with students from various health disciplines. Dr. Chang is passionate about serving vulnerable populations and wants to guide and prepare the future healthcare workforce to brainstorm and implement evidence-based, creative solutions to improve health across the world.

Carol Quam Urban, PhD, RN, Associate Professor, is the Director for Administrative Controls & Screening Operations for Employee Health and Well-Being at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Prior to this position, she taught nursing pharmacology in the School of Nursing for over 25 years, and served as the Director of the School. She considers pharmacology to be a course that truly integrates nursing knowledge, skills and interdisciplinary teamwork. She has co-authored the Pearson textbook Pharmacology: Connections to Nursing Practice with Dr. Adams and has worked on previous editions of Pharmacology for Nurses: A Pathophysiologic Approach.

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