MEDA 1030 - Pharmacology for Medical Assistants

1. Legal and ethical aspects of pharmacology in the Medical Assisting profession
2. Basics of pharmacology
3. Drug information and drug forms
4. Drug dosages for special populations
5. Medication labels and orders
6. Measuring systems and their equivalents
7. Calculations of parenteral medications
8. Safety and quality assurance of medication administration
9. Medication administration
10. Immunizations and the immune system
11. Anti-infective Drugs
12. Antineoplastic Drugs
13. Psychotropic Medications, Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Withdrawal Treatment, and CNS Stimulants
14. Anticonvulsants, Antiparkinsonian Drugs, and Agents for Alzheimer’s Disease
15. Analgesics, Sedatives, and Hypnotics
16. Nutritional supplements and alternative medicines
17. Medications as they relate to different body systems
18. Age-Related Medication Issues

1. describe the registration and documentation process for compliance with the drug enforcement administration DEA with regard to administering, dispensing and prescribing controlled drugs.
2. identify ethical procedures regarding prescriptions, including who may prescribe medications, and the use of protocol to ensure that these measures are followed.
3. identify the legal aspects of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 and describe the five schedules for controlled substances found therein. 
4. identify common pathology related to each body system including: signs, symptoms and etiology.
5. identify common pathology for each body system including: diagnostic measures and treatment modalities.
6. identify the classification of medications including: indications for use, desired effects, side effects and adverse reactions.
7. demonstrate knowledge of basic math computations.
8. apply mathematical computations to solve equations.
9. define basic units of measurement in: the metric system and the household system.
10. convert among measurement systems.
11. identify abbreviations used in calculating medication dosages.
12. verify the rules of medication administration: right patient; right medication; right dose; right route; right time; right documentation.
13. select proper sites for administering parenteral medication.
14. administer oral medications.
15. calculate proper dosages of medication for administration.
16. demonstrate proper use of: sharps disposal containers.

Courses and Registration