Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This is a required course which fulfills a portion of the curriculum for the certificate in Medical Assisting.
The extent of transferability or credit allowed for the course would be dependent upon the institution and the program to which the student is transferring.
 

1. Describe basic principles of pharmacokinetics that control drug uptake, distribution, bioavailability, and metabolism. 

2. Identify and describe therapeutic action of commonly prescribed drug categories.

3. Identify several common drugs within treatment of different diseases and disorders of the  body systems.

4. List benefits, limitations, and adverse effects of drug classifications per different body systems.

5. Explain how drug choices and methods of administration influence therapy outcomes.

6. Understand the legal impact and roles and responsibilities of the medical assistant regarding prescription medications.

Students will demonstrate these learning outcomes by these tasks conducted individually and in cooperation with other students:
1.  Answer theoretical and application multiple choice questions on information covered in lecture and reading assignments.

SUBJECT MATTER, CONCEPTS, THEMES, ISSUES (broad areas):The following list outlines the concepts, themes, and issues you need to understand and be able to use appropriately. You will have the opportunity to demonstrate your understanding in written and oral form, individually and in groups.
1.0  INTRODUCTION TO MEDICATIONS
The goal is to impart knowledge of medication concepts, management and control, dosage calculation and injection types, sites and equipment. Also to apply pharmacology principles to prepare and administer oral and parenteral medications.
2.0  DRUGS AFFECTING THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
The goal is to impart knowledge of central nervous system medications indicating their uses, therapeutic effects; side effects/contraindications, route of administration, usual adult dose, dangers and precautions
3.0  MEDICATIONS AFFECTING THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
The goal is to impart knowledge of autonomic nervous system medications indicating their uses, therapeutic effects, side effects/contraindications, route of administration, usual adult dosages, dangers and precautions.
4.0  MEDICATIONS AFFECTING THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
The goal is to impart knowledge of the circulatory system and its components and the medications affecting the circulatory system, indicating their uses, therapeutic effects, side effects/contraindications, routes of administrations, usual adult dosages, dangers and precautions.
5.0  MEDICATIONS AFFECTING THE BODY AS A WHOLE
The goal is to impart knowledge of medications which affect the body as a whole indicating their uses, therapeutic effects, side effects/contraindications, routes of administration, usual adult dosages, dangers and precautions.
6.0  MEDICATIONS AFFECTING THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
The goad is to impart knowledge of medications which affect the digestive system indicating their uses, therapeutic effects, side effects/contraindications, routes of administration, usual adult dosages, dangers and precautions.
7.0  HORMONES
The goal is to impart knowledge of the endocrine system and the hormones that it secretes, their effects, replacement medications, routes of administration, usual adult dosages, dangers and precautions.
8.0  MEDICATIONS AFFECTING THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
The goal is to impart knowledge of medications affecting the respiratory system, indicating their uses, therapeutic effects, side effects/contraindications, routes of administration, usual adult dosages, dangers and precautions.
9.0  EMERGENCY MEDICATIONS
The goal is to impart knowledge of emergency medications, their uses and contraindications.
10.0  MISCELLANEOUS MEDICATIONS
The goal is to impart knowledge of medications used for eyes and ears, alcoholism, and to counteract parasites.