Clear, Practice-Focused Pharmacology for Safe, Person-Centred Care
Safe medication practice depends on sound pharmacological knowledge applied to real clinical situations. Now in its Second Edition, Fundamentals of Pharmacology: For Nursing and Healthcare Students provides a structured approach to pharmacology and pharmacokinetics, focusing on the medicines students encounter most frequently in practice. It aligns with current NMC Standards and Proficiencies for Registered Nurses and Nursing Associates.
This updated edition expands coverage to 20 chapters, adding dedicated content on palliative and end-of-life care alongside genetics and biologic therapies. Every chapter has been revised to reflect contemporary evidence-based guidelines and current clinical best practices. Full-colour illustrations, practical examples, learning outcomes, and multiple-choice questions support clinical reasoning development throughout.
Readers will also find:
Detailed coverage of medicines administration processes and the ability to recognise and respond to the effects of medicines
Accessible, student-friendly presentation designed to develop competence and confidence when applying pharmacological principles in clinical settings
Engaging educational features including tables, figures, and worked examples that reinforce comprehension of complex pharmacological concepts
Emphasis on person-centred care and working in partnership with those receiving treatment throughout each chapter
Written for pre-registration adult nursing students across all three years of study, this text also serves post-registration nurses undertaking nurse prescribing or non-medical prescribing modules. It equips readers to deliver safe, competent, and compassionate medication-related care.
Contributors xiii
Preface xvi
Acknowledgements xviii
Prefixes and suffixes xix
Abbreviations xxxiii
Chapter 1 Introduction to Pharmacology 1
Chapter 2 How to Use Pharmaceutical and Prescribing Reference Guides 13
Chapter 3 Legal and Ethical Issues 27
Chapter 4 Medicines Management and the Role of the Healthcare Provider 41
Chapter 5 Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics 56
Chapter 6 Drug Formulations 75
Chapter 7 Adverse Drug Reaction 91
Chapter 8 Analgesics and Anaesthetics 105
Chapter 9 Antibacterials 128
Chapter 10 Medications Used in the Cardiovascular System 156
Chapter 11 Medications and the Renal System 180
Chapter 12 Medications and Diabetes Mellitus 226
Chapter 13 Medications and the Respiratory System 244
Chapter 14 Medications and the Gastrointestinal System 290
Chapter 15 Medications Used in Cancer 305
Chapter 16 Medications and the Nervous System 327
Chapter 17 Medications Used in Mental Health 346
Chapter 18 Immunisations 369
Chapter 19 Medications Used at End of Life: The Dying Patient 390
Answers to Multiple Choice Questions 000
Index 000