MEDA 109 Pharmacology

Medical Assistant students will study drug therapy including medical uses for drugs, dosage calculations, and principles for administering medications. This course examines how medications are processed and utilized in the body. Students are introduced to a wide variety of medications, drug classifications, drug dosages, and drug interactions. Therapeutic and adverse effects of drugs are considered. Students will learn the medical assistant’s role in assisting in a medical practice with administering medications, safely, including patient education. Introduction to technical language related to medication therapy is emphasized. A component of mathematics utilizing metric and apothecary systems to calculate the dosage of medications is included.

Credits

2 Credits

Semester Contact Hours Lecture

30

Semester Contact Hours Lab

0

Semester Contact Hours Clinical

0

Prerequisite

Placement in the Medical Assistant program or instructor permission

MEDA 109Pharmacology

Please note: This is not a course syllabus. A course syllabus is unique to a particular section of a course by instructor. This curriculum guide provides general information about a course.

I. General Information

Department

II. Course Specification

Credit Hours Narrative

2 Credits

Semester Contact Hours Lecture

30

Semester Contact Hours Lab

0

Semester Contact Hours Clinical

0

Prerequisite Narrative

Placement in the Medical Assistant program or instructor permission

Repeatable

No

III. Catalog Course Description

Medical Assistant students will study drug therapy including medical uses for drugs, dosage calculations, and principles for administering medications. This course examines how medications are processed and utilized in the body. Students are introduced to a wide variety of medications, drug classifications, drug dosages, and drug interactions. Therapeutic and adverse effects of drugs are considered. Students will learn the medical assistant’s role in assisting in a medical practice with administering medications, safely, including patient education. Introduction to technical language related to medication therapy is emphasized. A component of mathematics utilizing metric and apothecary systems to calculate the dosage of medications is included.

IV. Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:

  • Identify the classifications of medications, including: a. indications for use b. desired effects c. side effects d. adverse reactions
  • Define basic units of measurement in: a. The metric system b. The household system
  • Identify abbreviations used in calculating medication dosages
  • To prepare medical assistants who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains to enter the profession." As outlined for accredited programs by the Medical Assisting Education Review Board.

V. Topical Outline (Course Content)

VI. Delivery Methodologies