Pharmacology in Acute Care Rehabilitation

Presented by Ashley Poole

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Video Runtime: 47 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 29 Minutes

Rehab practitioners are treating and mobilizing patients with increasingly complex needs, including patients who require multiple medications to manage their conditions. It is important for rehab practitioners to understand the basics of pharmacology and the associated adverse reactions of various medications. This course will provide an overview of common medication classes encountered in the acute care environment as well as clinical considerations to optimize safety during rehab sessions. Information in this course could be applicable to any health profession, including physical therapy and occupational therapy, that treats and mobilizes patients in the acute care setting.

Meet your instructor

Ashley Poole

Ashley Poole, PT, DPT, holds a full-time faculty appointment in the Doctor of Physical Therapy division at Duke University. She has more than 20 years of clinical practice experience and was awarded board certification as a cardiovascular and pulmonary clinical specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Principles of Pharmacology

1. Principles of Pharmacology

It is important for rehab practitioners to understand the basic principles of pharmacology, such as pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. This chapter will cover the basic principles of pharmacology as well as factors that affect drug response, polypharmacy, and the role of the rehab practitioner in pharmacology.

Pharmacology: Central Nervous and Musculoskeletal Systems

2. Pharmacology: Central Nervous and Musculoskeletal Systems

This chapter will review common medication classes encountered in the acute care environment that affect the central nervous and musculoskeletal systems. It is important for rehab practitioners to recognize the primary adverse drug reactions of these medications as well as evaluate the effects that these medications may have on a patient’s overall performance during a rehab session.

Pharmacology: Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems

3. Pharmacology: Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems

This chapter will review common medication classes encountered in the acute care environment that affect the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. It is important for rehab practitioners to recognize the primary adverse drug reactions of these medications as well as evaluate the effects that these medications may have on a patient’s overall performance during a rehab session.

Pharmacology: Other Medications

4. Pharmacology: Other Medications

This chapter will review other miscellaneous medications that are commonly encountered in the acute care environment. It is important for rehab practitioners to recognize the primary adverse drug reactions of these medications as well as evaluate the effects that these medications may have on a patient’s overall performance during a rehab session.