PHA5PK26HKI Pharmacotherapy and medical calculations in mental health and substance abuse work (2cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Content scheduling

The course includes:

Medical calculation
- an independent practice test in medical calculation and an in-class exam

Pharmacotherapy
- lecture-teaching on pharmacotherapy theory
- pharmacotherapy theory exam


- Independent stydying including practicing calculation

Objective

Students
• understand the principles of clinical pharmacology in pharmacotherapy of the most common mental health and addiction problems for adults, children and adolescents and know how to apply the information in nursing
• understand the specificities of pharmacotherapeutic patient safety in the treatment of patients with mental health and substance abuse problems
• know how to offer guidance on pharmacotherapy and its self-monitoring to patients and their families
• can perform the medical calculations included in the course

Content

• the specificities of pharmacotherapy in mental health and substance abuse work
• drug and medication safety in mental health and substance abuse work
• the most common active ingredient groups and their areas of use, mechanisms of action and routes of administration
• therapeutic effects, side effects and combined actions of medicines
• self-medication
• pharmacotherapy guidance, committing to and engaging with treatment
• can perform the medical calculations included in the course

Materials

MEDICAL CALCULATION:
Boyd, C. (2016). Nursing calculations and iv therapy for dummies - uk. John Wiley & Sons.

Davison, N. (2020). Numeracy and Clinical Calculations for Nurses, Second Edition: Vol. Second edition. Lantern Publishing.

Graig, G. (2025). Dosage calculations made easy: solving problems using dimensional analysis. 8th edition (Eighth edition.). Wolters Kluwer Health.

PHARMACOTHERAPY:
Aydin, M. (2025). Fundamentals of Psychiatric Nursing. BZT Turan Publishing House. Charper 5 Psychopharmacology.

Rebar, C. R., Heimgartner, N. M., & Gersch, C. (2022). Pharmacology made incredibly easy. Wolters Kluwer Health. Section: Psychotropic drugs.

Terveysportti EBMG Evidence-based Medicine Guidelines” database.

Lecture materials.


OTHER MATERIAL:
Duodecim. Käypä Hoito -Recommendations.

Terveysportti. Duodecim Lääketietokanta/Medical database.

In Finnish:

Ernvall, S, Salonen, A-M., Pulli, A., Nurminen, M-L. & Kaukkila, H-S. (2016). Lääkelaskenta. Sanoma Pro.

Nikkola, R., Nurkkala, N., Paloposki, S. Müller, E. & Sinivuori, E. (2021). Annos oivallusta. Sanoma Pro.

Pussinen, A-M., Somerharju, L. & Hannula, J. (2017). Lääkelaskut ammattikorkeakouluihin. Edita.

Saano, S., & Taam-Ukkonen, M. (2025). Lääkehoidon käsikirja. Sanoma Pro Oy. (from the book section: Mielenterveyteen ja vireyteen vaikuttava lääkehoito)

Socada, L. (2023). Psyykenlääkkeet. Lääkärikirja Duodecim.

Teaching methods

- Mandatory orientation(info)
- Lectures
- Pharmacotherapy theory exam
- Medical calculation exam
- Independent studying

Exam schedules

Exams according to the schedule and re-exams will be taken on the general re-exam day.

Student workload

2 ects = 54 hours student's use of time

Orientation(info) and lectures 12 h
Pharmacotherapy theory exam 1h
Medical calculation exam 1h
Independent studying 40h

Qualifications

Safe pharmacotherapy and medical calculation (PHA1) and Adult pharmacotherapy and medical calculation (PHA2) must be completed.