The 2017 model core curriculum and the 2019 proposed revisions to the designated rules call for the enhancement of pharmacology education necessary to exercise holistic assessment and clinical judgment skills.
The doctor prescribes according to the standard protocol considering the patient's condition and symptoms. The pharmacist confirms the details prescribed by the doctor and explains the efficacy and side effects of the drug to the patient or gives instruction on general precautions. The nurse's role is to watch the patient, check the effectiveness of the administered drug and adverse events, and report them to the doctor. To gain the expected efficacy from the drug and prevent an unwanted episode, however, the nurse should pay attention to the use of the drug.
In one case, the patient wearing a patch died after using an electric blanket, which caused a high blood concentration. Also, if a patient is dissatisfied with the prescribed medication and has difficulty maintaining medication adherence, the nurse needs to understand the reason why the patient has become unable to take medicine.
In other words, the nurse must be able to manage drug treatment and support medication after comprehensively understanding the patient's body, life, and psychological situation. To that end, the nurse needs to know the drug works, how to manage the treatment effect and safety, and how to use the drug on justified grounds. The author advocates the need for pharmacology education that integrates the knowledge of medicinal drugs and principles of nursing science so that the nurse can figure out the optimal medication method.