DAPH 840 : Advanced Pharmacology for Nurse Anesthesia Practice I

This doctoral-level course provides a rigorous, mechanistically grounded examination of the pharmacological agents central to contemporary nurse anesthesia practice. Students analyze the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic principles governing inhalation and intravenous anesthetic agents, neuromuscular blocking drugs and their reversal, and the full spectrum of analgesic pharmacology including opioids, local anesthetics, NSAIDs, acetaminophen, and multimodal adjuncts. Emphasis is placed on receptor-level mechanisms, structure-activity relationships, and the pharmacological basis for perioperative decision-making across diverse patient populations. Cardiovascular pharmacology is examined in depth, encompassing inotropes, vasoactive agents, antihypertensives, antidysrhythmics, and agents modulating autonomic tone. Students evaluate evidence-based indications, contraindications, and drug interactions with direct application to anesthesia plan formulation, hemodynamic optimization, and complication management. Upon completion, students are prepared to synthesize advanced pharmacological knowledge into safe, individualized, evidence-based anesthetic care aligned with doctoral nurse anesthesia practice competencies.