Chabot College
Fall 2001
Course Outline for Medical Assisting 75
ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATIONS FOR THE MEDICAL ASSISTANT
Catalog Description:
75-Administration of Medications for the Medical Assistant
2 units
Medication administration including study of drugs, drug research, drug therapy, immunizations
and skin tests. Safe preparation, administration, and documentation of medication given by oral,
sublingual, inhalation, topical, vaginal, rectal, transdermal, intramuscular, subcutaneous and
intradermal routes. Corequisite: Medical Assisting 70A and Medical Assisting 71A, or Medical
Assisting work experience, or graduate of Medical Assisting Program, or equivalent. 2 hours
lecture, 3 hours laboratory, 12 weeks.
Prerequisite Skills:
None
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
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define key terms and abbreviations related to medication administration;
list the routes of administration of medication;
explain the differences between administering, prescribing and dispensing medication;
list and define the three names of drugs;
classify drugs according to preparation;
classify drugs according to the action they have on the body;
list four factors that affect the action of drugs in the body;
identify adverse reactions that may be observed after administering medication;
describe the Federal Foods, Drug and Cosmetic Act and the Controlled Substance Act of
1970;
explain the role of the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and the Drug Enforcement Agency
(DEA);
name five controlled substance schedules, the type of medication found in each schedule
and describe appropriate storage, prescribing and record keeping of controlled substances;
recognize the patient who may show signs of drug misuse, drug abuse and drug dependence;
use drug references to find the classification, pregnancy category, action, uses, doses
and side effects of a drug;
identify differences in administering medication to the pediatric patient and the geriatric
patient;
identify the common drugs in the categories of vitamins, minerals, herbs, antibiotics,
antifungal agents, antiviral, psychotropic, antineoplastic and immunizations;
list the common drugs used for the eye and ear;
describe the common drugs used for treating conditions of the respiratory, cardiovascular,
gastrointestinal, urinary, reproductive, endocrine, musculoskeletal, and nervous systems;
list and explain the different parts of the prescription;
calculate the correct dosage of medication using the proportional method or formula method;
convert measurements using the apothecary, metric and household systems of
measurement;
list the six rights of medication administration;
state the advantages and disadvantages of using the parenteral route of administration;
explain which tissue layers of the body are used for an intradermal, a subcutaneous and
intramuscular injection;
identify parts of a needle and syringe and explain their function;
select the correct syringe and needle for the intradermal, a subcutaneous and intramuscular
injection;
select the correct site for the intradermal, a subcutaneous and intramuscular injection;
read correctly the calibrations on the syringe and draw up the correct amount of medication;
explain the purpose of using the Z-track method of intramuscular injection;
Chabot College
MA 75, Page 2
Fall 2001
29. explain the purpose of tuberculin skin testing;
30. assess the tuberculin skin test site for reaction and understand the significance of a positive
reaction;
31. explain the principle underlying each step in the procedures for administering oral, parenteral
medications;
32. describe the purpose and method for allergy tests.
Course Content:
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Pharmacology terms and abbreviations
Routes of medication administration
Administering, prescribing and dispensing medication
Chemical, generic, trade or brand names of drugs
Classification of drugs according to preparation
Classification of drugs according to action: therapeutic, diagnostic, prophylactic
Factors affect the action of drugs in the body
Adverse reactions that may be observed after administering medication
Federal Foods, Drug and Cosmetic Act and the Controlled Substance Act of 1970
Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)
Controlled substance schedules
Controlled medication in each schedule
Storage, prescribing and record keeping of controlled substances
Drug misuse, drug abuse and drug dependence
Drug references
Classification, pregnancy category, action, uses, doses and side effects of a drug
Administering medication to the adult, pediatric and geriatric patient
Vitamins, minerals, herbs
Antibiotics
Antifungal
Antiviral
Psychotropic
Antineoplastic
Imunizations
Ophthalmic medications
Aural medications
Respiratory system medications
Cardiovascular system medications
Gastrointestinal system medications
Urinary system medications
Reproductive system medications
Endocrine system medications
Musculoskeletal system medications
Nervous system medications
Parts of the prescription
Calculating drug doses
Apothecary, metric and household systems of measurement
Six rights of medication administration
Identify parts of a needle and syringe and explain their function
Correct syringe and needle for the intradermal, a subcutaneous and intramuscular injection
Draw up the correct amount of medication
Z-track method of intramuscular injection
43. Tuberculin skin testing
44. Assessment of the tuberculin skin test
45. Principle underlying each step in the procedures for administering oral, parenteral
medications
46. Allergy tests
Chabot College
MA 75, Page 3
Fall 2001
Methods of Presentation
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Lecture/discussion
Skills demonstration
Audio-visual materials
Anatomical models and illustrations
Assignments & Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
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Typical
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Assignments
Drug calculations
Drug conversions
Drug research
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Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
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Clinical competencies
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Quizzes
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Examinations
Textbook(s) Typical
Administering Medications; Pharmacology for Health Careers, Donna F. Gauwitz and Phyllis
Theiss Bayt, Glenco, 2000
Special Student Materials
None
Revised 12-1-00