Abstract

The problem arose from the need to study the present method of pharmacology instruction in a selected school of nursing. "How much knowledge of medications do selected senior students have, and how do they apply their knowledge in the administration of medications?"

For this study, the normative survey approach was used as the method of research. Eleven senior students of nursing engaged in the administration of medications, as team leaders, were observed and questioned on two different occasions during one quarter of their school year. The tool of research used to collect data was an observation code sheet developed for this study.

The data were tabulated, analyzed and interpreted according to the students' knowledge of medications, application of their knowledge, and student opinions regarding pharmacology as it was taught. Areas of weakness in the students' knowledge of pharmacology were identified by analysis of the findings.

The figures indicated that the percentage of correct responses to 445 questions asked about 89 medications was 47 per cent. The students seemed to know the most about the general classifications of medications and the least about untoward effects of drugs. In the classifications of medications, the students had the most correct responses about antibiotics and the least about antihistamines. In the application of knowledge, the students' technique of giving medications was good, but improvement was needed in taking precautions, observing expected and untoward effects of medications, and patient teaching. There seemed to be a general feeling among the students that pharmacology as it was taught had been inadequate.

It was concluded from the findings in this study that there were inadequacies in several areas in the students' knowledge and application of knowledge of medications and in the correlation of pharmacology. Based on the findings of this study, recommendations were suggested for improving the methods of teaching pharmacology by: (1) giving further study to methods of teaching pharmacology, (2) giving consideration and study to planning for student experience under more effective supervision in the administration of medications, and (3) giving consideration and study to how students were utilizing their drug cards and taking definite steps to have them use these more effectively. Recommendations for further studies to be conducted with a larger group were also made.

LLU Discipline

Nursing

Department

Nursing

School

Graduate Studies

First Advisor

Lucile Lewis

Second Advisor

(Matilda) Anabelle Mills

Third Advisor

Gertrude L. Haussler

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

1961

Date (Title Page)

6-1961

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Students, Nursing; Medication Systems

Type

Thesis

Page Count

vii; 69

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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