Maricopa Community Colleges  HCE221   20076-20076 
Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 04/24/07
HCE221 20076-20076 L+L 3 Credit(s) 4 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 (HCC145AA, HCC145AB, and HCC145AC), and HCE162], or permission of Program Director.
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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
 
HCE221   20076-20076 Administration of Medication
1. Describe drug regulations and legal classifications of drugs. (I)
2. Identify names of medications and medication references. (II, III)
3. Describe the factors affecting medication actions. (IV)
4. Describe the various forms of medication. (V)
5. Identify and compare the routes of medication administration. (VI)
6. Describe 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. Explain the guidelines specific to oral and parenteral medications. (XIV-XVI)
14. Demonstrate the correct procedure to prepare and administer medications in simulated situations. (XVI)
15. Assess patient's immunization record and administer vaccines according to state guidelines. (XVII)
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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
 
HCE221   20076-20076 Administration of Medication
    I. Drug Regulations and Legal Classifications
        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
                                    XVII. Immunization Schedule
                                        A. Patient's record
                                        B. Vaccine management
                                        C. Administration
                                        D. Contraindication
                                        E. Reporting
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