Credit Points 10

Coordinator Farnoosh Asghar Vahedi Opens in new window

Description This subject develops students’ knowledge in pharmacology including, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics during pregnancy, birth, postnatal and breastfeeding. The subject addresses the safety and quality use of medicines in midwifery. The subject also explores the impact of microorganisms on maternal, fetal and newborn health, examines the body’s natural defences including the microbiome and explores the impact of pharmaceuticals on the microbiome.

School Nursing & Midwifery

Discipline Midwifery

Student Contribution Band

Check your fees via the Fees page.

Level Postgraduate Coursework Level 7 subject

Pre-requisite(s) NURS 7083

Co-requisite(s) NURS 7086 AND
NURS 7085

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled in 4805 Graduate Diploma in Midwifery and be a registered nurse employed in a participating NSW Health Local Health District or private maternity facility in the position of a midwifery student.

Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of this subject, students will be able to:

1. Explain principles of pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacology and pharmacokinetics 
2. Evaluate the quality use of medicine during normal and complex pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium including indications, classification, and potential adverse events, for safe drug administration 
3. Assess strategies to effectively address the impact of micro-organisms on community and health care facilities with particular relevance to midwifery
4. Communicate complex ideas regarding the body’s defence mechanisms to a variety of audiences.

Subject Content

• Principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
• Administration routes
• Quality use of medicines in midwifery (Mothersafe) 
• Common medication groups for midwifery
• Common medications used during pregnancy, labour and birth and in the postnatal period
• Common medications used for complex pregnancy, labour and birth and in the postnatal period
• Legislation related to medication administration and responsibilities of health professionals
• Scheduling of drugs 
• Non-pharmacological and complementary therapies
• Immunisation 
• Storage of drugs including cold chain
• Fundamental microbiology 
• Host-microbe interactions
• The immune system 
• Infection control
• The bodies defence mechanisms 
• The microbiome