MCCCD Program Description

Introduction to Pharmacology for EMS Professionals

Course: PME191

First Term: 2020 Fall

Lecture 3.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S- Standard

Description: Designed to provide an overview of the principles of pharmacology and pharmacologic agents utilized in patient management plans. Includes pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, physiology of pharmacology, calculating drug dosages, and drug profiles.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Describe regulation, drug legislation, and historic trends in pharmacology. (I) 2. Describe the physiologic principles of pharmacology. (II) 3. Describe common pharmacologic agents utilized by Emergency Medical Service (EMS) professionals. (III, IV) 4. Identify pharmacologic reference sources for drug information. (V) 5. Interpret pharmacologic reference sources for drug information. (V) 6. Describe safe operation of equipment and technology used in the administration of drugs. (VI) 7. Explain safe and effective techniques for the administration of drugs. (VI) 8. Calculate drug dosages and infusions. (VI) 9. Integrate principles of pharmacology to perform a patient assessment in the EMS professional`s scope of practice. (VII) 10. Integrate principles of pharmacology to formulate a differential diagnosis in the EMS professional`s scope of practice. (VII) 11. Integrate principles of pharmacology to implement a management plan in the EMS professional`s scope of practice. (VII)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Regulation, legislation and historic trends in pharmacology II. Physiologic principles of pharmacology III. Pharmacologic agents in the EMS professional`s scope of practice A. Drug names B. Classifications C. Mechanism of action D. Indications and contraindications E. Side effects and adverse effects F. Adult and pediatric dosages G. Additional components of a drug profile H. Storage, security, and accountability IV. Types of drugs A. Therapeutic drugs B. Environmental substances C. Toxic substances D. Drugs of abuse and misuse V. Pharmacologic reference sources VI. Drug administration A. Preparations of drugs B. Principles of pharmacokinetics C. Routes of drug administration D. Basic modes of drug transport E. Stages of drug activity F. Factors affecting response to drugs G. Special considerations in drug delivery VII. Integration of the principles of pharmacology A. Patient assessments B. Differential diagnosis C. Management plans

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: October 22, 2019

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.