Form 6.3: Course Outline with Assessment Ideas and Activities
Course Title: Pharmacology for Allied Health
Module Number and Name: Module 1: Intro into Basic Principle of Pharmacology
Objective
Assessment
Ideas
1 Explain 5 reasons why a
Think-PairMedical Assistant (MA) should Share
study pharmacology.
Absorb
Do
Connect
Review the following websites:
http://www.aama-ntl.org/
http://academic.cuesta.org/desmith/pha
rmacology.pdf
Think/Pair /Share: Pair up
with a classmate and explain
to each other 5 reasons why
an MA should study
pharmacology
Journal Entry:
Reflect on how you
will implement
these reasons
when you are an
CMA in the work
force.
Reflection
Discussion
Board: Post how
you will complete
the role of a CMA.
Scavenger hunt:
Find online
resources that you
will be able to use
in the field.
Evaluate which
reference will be
most helpful and
why.
Develop a checklist
that can be used by
an CMA in the field
to ensure safe
2 Compare and contrast the
role of the physician and the
medical assistant as it
pertains to pharmacology.
Jigsaw Puzzle
Read: Principles of Pharmacology for
Medical Assisting, by Jane Rice and
Powerpoints
3 Define the different subcategories of pharmacology as
it pertains to dosages and
areas of study.
Mind-Map
Booth, Whicker, Wyman, Pugh,
Thompson; Medical Assisting,
Administrative and Clinical Procedures,
Including Anatomy and Physiology, fourth
edition, McGraw-Hill, 2011, IBSN: 97807-337454-3 Chapter 50 & 51
4 Evaluate the key elements in Mind-Map
practicing drug safety when
preparing and administering
non-parental and parental
Complete the chart 1:1 to
compare and contrast the
role of an MA vs a provider
as it pertains to
pharmacology.
Mind-map: On the different
sub-categories of
pharmacology.
Mind-map: Non-parental
and parental medication
preparation and
administration of drugs.
Form adapted from Smith, R. M. Conquering the Content. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2008.
drugs.
5 Apply the seven rights of
safe drug/ medication
administration. Degree =
100%
6 Outline when an MA would
complete the 3 checks of
drug/medication
administration. Degree =
100%
7 Explain the difference
between Pharmacokinetics
and Pharmacodynamics.
8 List the 4 different
parts/phases to
pharmacokinetics and cite an
example for each of the four
phases.
Journal Entry,
iClicker, and
Quiz
Complete iClicker activity
and Quiz 1
medication
administration.
Journal Entry,
iClicker. and
Quiz
Discussion
Board and
Quiz
Discussion
Board and
Quiz
Post a discussion board post
outlining what the difference
is between
Pharmacokinetics and
Pharmacodynamics.
Complete quiz 1
Develop a glossary
activity to help
connect these
concepts into an
MA practices in
caring for patients
Course Title: Pharmacology for Allied Health
Module Number and Name: Module 2: Pharmacology Medication Order
Objective
1 Interpret a prescription
accurately.
Assessment
Ideas
Skills Checklist
Absorb
Read: Principles of Pharmacology for
Medical Assisting, by Jane Rice and
Powerpoints
Booth, Whicker, Wyman, Pugh,
Thompson; Medical Assisting,
Do
Complete skills checklist for
completing a prescription.
Case study: Fill out an order
for a drug correctly on a
prescription.
Form adapted from Smith, R. M. Conquering the Content. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2008.
Connect
Discussion
Board: Explain
why it is
important for a
medical assistant
to learn the
2 List the parts of a
drug/medication order.
Skills Checklist
and Quiz
Administrative and Clinical Procedures,
Including Anatomy and Physiology,
fourth edition, McGraw-Hill, 2011, IBSN:
978-07-337454-3 Chapter 50 & 51
Complete quiz 2
different parts of a
script.
Math quiz 1 – 1 attempt
Journal Entry:
Explain why it is
important for an
MA to be able to
convert.
Discussion Board Post:
Differentiate between
generic, official, trade, and
chemical name.
Scavenger hunt:
Find online
resources that you
will be able to use
in the field.
Evaluate which
reference will be
most helpful and
why.
Review powerpoint on example of
prescriptions
3 Convert dosages from one
measure system to another.
Math Quiz –
Multiple
Attempts
4 Calculate drug dosages
accurately using the formula
and proportion methods.
Math Quiz –
Multiple
Attempts and
Case Studies
Discussion
Read: Principles of Pharmacology for
Board and Quiz Medical Assisting, by Jane Rice and
Powerpoints
Discussion
Booth, Whicker, Wyman, Pugh,
Board
Thompson; Medical Assisting,
Administrative and Clinical Procedures,
Including Anatomy and Physiology,
fourth edition, McGraw-Hill, 2011, IBSN:
978-07-337454-3 Chapter 50 & 51
5 Differentiate between
generic, official, trade, and
chemical name.
6 Explain the difference
between drug action and drug
effect.
7 Develop a list of reliable
drug web based and book
resources available to a MA
and medical team.
Online
Scavenger
Hunt = Rxlist,
ePocrates,
PDR, Medline,
Practice Math Worksheets go through in
lecture together.
Review: Websites Rxlist, ePocrates,
PDR, Medline, WebMD sites
Quiz 2
Compare the pros and cons
of the online resources and
complete the evaluation form
for each website.
Form adapted from Smith, R. M. Conquering the Content. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2008.
Develop a tool for
reference
resources an MA
could use in the
field.
WebMD sites
Course Title: Pharmacology for Allied Health
Module Number and Name: Module 7: Cardiovascular and Respiratory
Objective
1 Identify 3
common patient
diagnosis for
each
classification of
drugs:
Cardiovascular
and Respiratory.
Assessment
Ideas
Discussion
Board,
Memory
Matrix
Absorb
Do
Connect
Read: Principles of
Pharmacology for Medical
Assisting, by Jane Rice – Units
23 & 24, Lecture PowerPoint’s
and notes
Given case studies of patient
with symptoms and matching
their diagnosis with the sign
and symptoms patient
presents with.
Learn Smart Activity for Units
through McGraw-Hill Connect.
American Heart Association,
American Lung Association,
Medline Plus to view tutorials
on different diagnosis,
WebMD, CDC
Heart Disease –
Atherosclerosis, Hypertension,
Angina vs. MI, Asthma,
common cold – virus, COPD,
TB
How well the student understood
the diagnosis for cardio and
respiratory evident in memory
matrix and how student connected
the diagnosis to cardio vs
respiratory.
Jigsaw Activity:
Group 1: Drugs used to treat
Heart Disease –
Atherosclerosis, Hypertension,
Create your own table/chart or
memory matrix outlining the list
of drugs and the following
information on each drug:
Field Trip: Visit a Cardiology
and Pulmonary Clinics for a
day of observation.
Listen: To a panel of previous
CMA who either completed
their practicum experience in
Cardiology and/or Pulmonary
to answer questions.
2 Categorize
from a list given
commonly used
drugs for
Jigsaw,
Discussion
Board,
Memory
Review the following
websites:
www.Drugs.com,
www.PDRhealth.com,
Form adapted from Smith, R. M. Conquering the Content. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2008.
Cardiovascular
and Respiratory
classifications of
drugs.
3 Assess possible
side effects of
each drugs listed
in 7:2.
4 Describe the
action of these
drugs 7:2 on a
patient.
5. Summarize
any specific
patient teaching
that is required
for 7:2 drugs.
6. Discuss what
the role of a MA
would be in
caring for
patients who are
prescribed one of
these
classifications of
drugs. Things to
consider would
be patient
diagnosis and
patient teaching.
Matrix,
Online
Practice
Worksheets,
Quiz
http://www.healthcentral.co
m/medications/r/medicatio
ns/,
http://www.rxlist.com/scrip
t/main/hp.asp,
http://www.medicinenet.co
m/script/main/hp.asp
Read: Principles of
Pharmacology for Medical
Assisting, by Jane Rice – Units
23 & 24, Lecture PowerPoint’s
and notes
Journal
Entry, ThinkPair-Share
Angina vs. MI, Asthma,
common cold – virus, COPD,
TB
Group 2: Side effects of drugs
used to treat Heart Disease –
Atherosclerosis, Hypertension,
Angina vs. MI, Asthma,
common cold – virus, COPD,
TB
Group 3: Describe the action
of drugs used to treat Heart
Disease – Atherosclerosis,
Hypertension, Angina vs. MI,
Asthma, common cold – virus,
COPD, TB
Group 4: Patient teaching for
drugs used to treat Heart
Disease – Atherosclerosis,
Hypertension, Angina vs. MI,
Asthma, common cold – virus,
COPD, TB
Group 5: Role of the MA in
caring for patients who are on
drugs used to treat Heart
Disease – Atherosclerosis,
Hypertension, Angina vs. MI,
Asthma, common cold – virus,
COPD, TB
Quiz/Practice Worksheet:
Complete the matching quiz
for the list of medications and
its classifications, side effects,
Form adapted from Smith, R. M. Conquering the Content. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2008.





Classification
Side effects
Action on the patient
Patient teaching
MA role
Think/Pair/Share: After
completing the jigsaw activity.
Reflect on what you have learned,
pair up with another student and
share how you have connected all
of the jigsaw components and
reflection on what you learned
Discussion Board/ Journal
Entry: Reflect on your reading
and jigsaw activity and how you
will apply what you have learned
as a future MA.
action of these drugs on
patients, patient teaching and
role of the MA.
Course Title Pharmacology for Allied Health
Module Number and Name: Module 10: Full Circle: Prepared Medical Assistant = Safe Patient Care
Objective
Assessment
Ideas
1. Conclude what Journal
the role of the
Entry, Quiz
medical
assistant in
relation to
pharmacology
and safe patient
care in the
ambulatory
setting.
2. Select drugs
Memory
for specific
Matrix, Mindpatient
Map, Online
diagnoses
Practice
outlining 2
Worksheets,
patient teaching Quiz
tips or special
Absorb
Review the following
websites:
http://www.aama-ntl.org/
Do
Quiz 5
Journal Entry: Reflect on
how as a future CMA you
view your role as it relates
to pharmacology and safe
patient care.
Complete online matching
learning activity.
Write up a case study that
an MA might see in the field;
include patient diagnosis –
signs and symptoms and
drugs a patient may
prescribed.
Read: Principles of
Pharmacology for Medical
Assisting, by Jane Rice and
Powerpoints
Booth, Whicker, Wyman, Pugh,
Thompson; Medical Assisting,
Administrative and Clinical
Procedures, Including Anatomy
and Physiology, fourth edition,
McGraw-Hill, 2011, IBSN: 97807-337454-3 Chapter 50 & 51
Connect
Memory Match: Develop one
for each diagnosis and outline
different drugs a patient might
be prescribed, any patient
Form adapted from Smith, R. M. Conquering the Content. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2008.
considerations
for that drug.
teaching and tips/special
considerations.
3. Create a tool
for a medical
assistant to use
in order to
ensure safe drug
administration
in the
ambulatory
setting.
Final Project,
Gallery Walk
4. Discuss 5
ways a Medical
Assistant will
use what they
have learned in
this
pharmacology
for practicum
experience.
Journal
Entry, ThinkPair-Share,
Discussion,
Case Study
Quiz 5
Given a sheet of paper list out
the 7 rights and 3 checks for an
assigned route of drug
administration – post these up
around the room.
Create a tool a medical
assistant can use to ensure
safe patient medication
administration.
Gallery walk around the
classroom and review the
above by each student.
Think-Pair-Share: Discuss 5
ways a Medical Assistant will
use what they have learned in
this pharmacology for
practicum experience.
Form adapted from Smith, R. M. Conquering the Content. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2008.
Journal Entry: Reflect on
how you will use what you
have learned in
pharmacology that you will
use when out on practicum.