Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 04/24/01
HCE221 20016-20045	L+L	2 Credit(s)	3 Period(s)
Administration of Medication
Principles and procedures for administering medications. Includes classifications, uses, effects, legal regulations, calculating dosages, and correct terminology. Emphasis on oral and parenteral of drug administration. Prerequisites: None. Corequisites: HCC130, HCC145, or permission of program director.

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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
HCE221   20016-20045	Administration of Medication

1.	Describe drug regulations and legal classifications of drugs. (I)
2.	Identify names of medications and medication references. (II, III)
3.	Discuss the factors affecting medication actions. (IV)
4.	Describe the various medication forms. (V)
5.	Identify and compare the routes of medication administration. (VI)
6.	Discuss the general rules of medication administration. (VII)
7.	Identify classifications of medications, examples of medications commonly used in each classification, therapeutic effects, adverse reactions, contraindications, and routes. (IV-VIII)
8.	Describe the components of a prescription and the process used in dispensing medications. (IX)
9.	List the legal and ethical implications of medication administration. (X)
10.	Explain methods of patient education regarding medications. (XI)
11.	Calculate the correct dosage for medication administration using a specified formula for adults, children, and infants. (XII)
12.	Describe standard precautions related to medication administration. (XIII)
13.	Discuss basic guidelines for administration of medication. (XIV-XVI)
14.	Demonstrate the correct procedure to prepare and administer medications in simulated situations. (XVI)

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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
HCE221   20016-20045	Administration of Medication

I. Drug Regulations and Legal Classifications A. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) B. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) C. Controlled substances schedule D. Medical assistant's responsibility 1. Understand federal and state laws 2. Storage and security 3. Monitor DEA registration 4. Expired drugs and documentation II. Names of Medications A. Brand names B. Generic name/official C. Chemical III. Medication References A. Physician's Desk Reference B. United States Pharmacopoeia/National Hospital Formulary C. Other IV. Factors Affecting Medication Actions A. Potency B. Physiological 1. Age/weight 2. Absorption 3. Distribution 4. Metabolism 5. Elimination C. Interactions/undesirable effects 1. Drug/food 2. Drug/drug 3. Adverse reactions 4. Side effects V. Forms of Medication A. Liquid B. Solid/semi-solid C. Transdermal D. Implantable devices VI. Routes A. Oral B. Inhalation C. Topical D. Parenteral 1. Intramuscular 2. Subcutaneous 3. Intradermal 4. Intravenous VII. Rules of Administration A. Rights B. Storage C. Preparation D. Administration E. Documentation VIII. Classifications of Medications A. Specific medications B. Therapeutic effects C. Adverse reactions D. Contraindications E. Routes most commonly used IX. Prescriptions A. Abbreviations and symbols B. Components C. Telephone/fax communications to pharmacy 1. Renewals 2. New prescriptions X. Ethical and Legal Implications A. Role of the medical assistant in administering medications B. Medication order/components C. Controlled substances guidelines D. Medication errors XI. Patient Education Instructions A. Verbal B. Printed XII. Calculating Medications A. Mathematics review B. Systems of measurement/conversions 1. Apothecary 2. Metric 3. Household 4. Unit dose XIII. Standard Precautions for Medication Administration A. Personal protective equipment B. Biohazard containers C. Correct handling of equipment XIV. Oral Medication Guidelines A. Methods/age related B. Procedure C. Patient assessment following administration XV. Parenteral Medication Guidelines A. Patient and site evaluation B. Site preparation C. Procedure D. Observation/patient assessment following injection XVI. Prepare and Administer Medications A. Procedure B. Routes C. Sites D. Equipment E. Administration in simulated situations F. Documentation 1. Terminology 2. Symbols 3. Abbreviations

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