MCCCD Program Description

Medical Assisting Pharmacology

Course: MAS203

First Term: 2021 Spring

Lec + Lab 3.0 Credit(s) 6.0 Period(s) 6.0 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: T- Lab Load

Description: Explores principles of basic pharmacology and medication administration. Focus on responsibility and appropriate medication protocols as they relate to medical assisting.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Apply basic pharmacology concepts, including basic units of measurement, terminology, and conversions. (I) 2. Describe drug regulations and legal classifications of drugs. (II) 3. Identify names of medications. (III) 4. Identify classifications of medications, forms, and routes. (IV) 5. Describe various medication effects, including adverse reactions, interactions, and contraindications. (V) 6. Describe the general rules and legal and ethical implications of medication administration. (VI) 7. Explain methods of patient education regarding medications. (VII) 8. Calculate the accurate dosage for medication administration for adults and pediatrics. (VIII) 9. Explain the guidelines specific to enteral and parenteral medications. (IX) 10. Demonstrate the correct procedure to prepare and administer medications. (X)
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. Basic pharmacology A. Units of measurement B. Terminology C. Symbols and abbreviations D. Conversions II. Drug regulations and legal classifications A. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) B. Controlled substances schedule C. Medical assistant`s responsibility 1. Understand federal and state laws 2. Storage and security 3. Monitor DEA registration 4. Expired drugs and documentation III. Names of medications A. Brand names B. Generic name/official C. Chemical D. Commonly used medications 1. Prescribed 2. Over-the-counter 3. Complementary or alternative IV. Types of medications A. Classifications B. Forms C. Routes V. Factors affecting medication actions A. Physiological 1. Age/weight 2. Absorption 3. Distribution 4. Metabolism 5. Elimination B. Interactions/undesirable effects 1. Drug/food 2. Drug/drug 3. Adverse reactions 4. Side effects 5. Contraindication 6. Potency and tolerance VI. Rules of administration A. Rules of administration 1. Patient rights 2. Storage 3. Preparation 4. Administration 5. Documentation B. Ethical and legal responsibilities 1. Role of the medical assistant in administering medications and vaccines 2. Medication order/components 3. Controlled substances guidelines 4. Medication errors and reporting VII. Patient education instructions A. Verbal B. Printed C. Consent VIII. Dosage calculation A. Basic mathematics review B. Systems of measurement/conversions 1. Apothecary 2. Metric 3. Unit dose 4. Unit conversions IX. Medication guidelines A. Enteral medication B. Parenteral medication C. Patient and site evaluation D. Site preparation and procedure X. Medication preparation and administration A. Procedure B. Routes C. Sites D. Equipment E. Administration in simulated situations

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: September 22, 2020

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.