Medical assistant module 2 pharmacology

what are the 6 rights when administering medication

• Right patient: Two identifiers must be verified before giving medicine

• Right medication: Verify medication label when preparing and when administering

• Right route: Appropriate route based on medicine and patient condition

• Right dose: Dose should be verified for patient age, weight, and condition

• Right time: Check expiration date as well as administration time

• Right documentation: Medication should be documented immediately after administering

What are analgesics?

non-narcotic medications used to relieve pain

What are anesthetics used for?

to numb areas of the body or produce general anesthesia

What are antibiotics used to treat?

bacterial infections

What are beta-blockers used for?

to lower blood pressure and heart rate

What is a common effect of beta-blockers?

low heart rate (bradycardia)

What are diuretics used for?

to reduce fluid retention (edema) and lower blood pressure

What are hypoglycemics used for?

to treat diabetes

What are the two forms of hypoglycemics?

oral hypoglycemics and insulin

What are statins used to treat?

high cholesterol

What do vasodilators do?

relax smooth muscle in blood vessels to lower blood pressure

conversions to remember

• 1 ml = 1 cc

• 5 ml = 1 teaspoon (tsp)

• 3 tsp = 1 tablespoon

• 15 ml = 1 tablespoon

What are Schedule I substances?

Drugs with extremely high abuse potential and no accepted medical use in the United States

Give examples of Schedule I substances.

heroin, Ecstasy (MDMA), LSD

What are Schedule II substances?

Drugs with high abuse potential that have accepted medical uses but are highly restricted

Give examples of Schedule II substances.

Ritalin, methamphetamine, PCP, most narcotics

What are Schedule III substances?

Drugs with less abuse potential than Schedule I and II that are used clinically

Give examples of Schedule III substances.

narcotics with less than 90 mg of codeine per dose, Suboxone

What are Schedule IV substances?

Drugs with lower abuse potential than Schedule III

Give examples of Schedule IV substances.

Xanax, Valium

What are Schedule V substances?

Drugs with the lowest abuse potential among controlled substances

Give examples of Schedule V substances.

Robitussin AC, Lomotil

What is a side effect of a medication?

an unwanted effect of a prescribed dose that may be unpleasant but not harmful

What is an adverse event (AE)?

a medication-related effect that may require additional treatment or stopping the drug

What is a sentinel event (SE)?

an unexpected occurrence causing serious physical or psychological harm or death

What is substance abuse in relation to medications?

excessive use of a substance causing impairment over an extended period, usually one year

Why is substance abuse considered an adverse medication use?

because it involves inappropriate or excessive use that causes harm

things to do before giving a injection

Explain the type of injection

Explain the purpose of the injection

Describe the injection process

Address potential side effects

Answer any questions

What is an intramuscular (IM) injection?

a medication injected into muscle tissue

Where are common intramuscular (IM) injection sites?

deltoid, vastus lateralis, ventrogluteal muscles

What is a subcutaneous (SubQ) injection?

a medication injected into the fatty tissue beneath the skin

Where are common subcutaneous injection sites?

upper arm, abdomen, thigh

What is an intradermal (ID) injection?

a medication injected into the top layer of the skin

What are intradermal injections commonly used for?

allergy testing and tuberculosis screening

what do you need to do to administer a vaccine

Communicate the Process Vaccination Process Based on Vaccination Type

address any concerns and get informed consent before admistering

send them to good info like the CDC for more questions

C. Administering Medication:

C. Administering Medication:

• Interpret medication administration instructions (frequency, dosage, etc.). 

• Educate the patient on the purpose, process, and side effects related to medication administration. 

• Communicate the process for administering medication based on medication type.