Introduction to Pharmacology-Course Requirements & Syllabus

What's in a Pharmacology Course?

Well, To begin with.......

Synonym: TBD
Location: TBD
Credits: 3
Day/Times: TBD
Semester Dates:
Faculty: TBD
Materials/Lab Fees: $25.00

Course Description:

This course provides an overview of pharmacology language, abbreviations, systems of measurement and conversions as they relate to medication administration. Students will learn the measurement of medication, dosage calculations, routes of administration, and commonly prescribed drugs in the medical office. Topics include legal implementations regarding controlled substances and other medications, forms of medications, patient care applications, drug classifications / interactions, and safety in medication administration and patient care. This course includes a lab. Prerequisites: Basic Algebra, Human Biology and Medical Terminology.

Essential Objectives

The successful student will be able to:

1. Explain the responsibilities of the medical assistant regarding medication administration and the conditions under which a medical assistant may administer medication.
2. Understand the legal and ethical implications associated with controlled substances and prescription pads including the role of the FDA, function of the Drug Enforcement Administration, and purpose of the Controlled Substance Act.
3. Apply accurate medical terminology related to pharmacology and administration of medication.
4. Calculate doses accurately for oral and parenteral medications.
5. Interpret and document medication orders, including the parts of a prescription.
6. Identify classifications of drugs, factors that affect drug action, and the undesirable actions of given drugs.
7. Determine classification and application of routes of administration for oral and parenteral medications in relation to the target effect.
8. Demonstrate an understanding of medical recordkeeping, storage, safety, and quality assurance related to medications dispensed in the medical office.

Laboratory Objectives--yes a PRACTICE LAB!

Laboratory objectives:

1. Demonstrate the procedure for using a Physicians Desk Reference and other reference sources.
2. Demonstrate proper patient assessment skills prior to medication administration, and patient education regarding uses, interactions and adverse effects.
3. Demonstrate the ability to administer intra-dermal, subcutaneous, and intramuscular injections.

Textbooks

Spring 2012 textbook data will be uploaded on January 1. We strongly suggest that you verify the information below with our online bookseller EdMap before purchasing textbooks from another vendor. If your course is at the Winooski site, check the UVM Bookstore for textbook and pricing information.

1) Principles of Pharmacology for Medical Assisting (5^th Edition) Jane Rice ISBN-13: 978-1-1111-3182-1 ISBN-10: 1-1111-3182-1

2) Davis's Drug Guide for Mobile and Web: Found at http://www.drugguide.com/ddo/ub

OR

Davis’s Drug Guide 12^th Edition (for nurses) Author(s): Judith Hopfer Deglin; April Hazard Vallerand; Cynthia A Sanoski Print: ISBN-10 0-8036-2309-7, ISBN-13 978-0-8036-2309-5

eTextbook: ISBN-13: 978-0-8036-2309-5

THE MOBILE GUIDE LETS YOU DOWNLOAD THE BOOK TO ANY SMART PHONE DEVICE OR IPOD, IPAD, ETC.....and is more current.

3) A basic Calculator

Teaching Strategies & Methods:

Methods:

This class will include a combination of lecture, group discussion and activities, readings, homework assignments, presentations, and exams. The Lab component of this course will include 5.5 hours to complete the laboratory objectives as noted previously.

GRADING & Evaluation Critieria

This course requires testing of new knowledge:

70% Exams

10 % Demonstration of Skills in Lab setting

20% Participation in weekly on-line discussions and homework assignments

Grading Criteria:

A+ = 97-100

A = 93-96

A- = 90-92

B+ = 87-89

B = 83-86

B- = 80-82

C+ = 77-79

C = 73-76

C-= 70-72

D = 60-69

F = <60

A+ through A-: For any work to receive an "A," it must clearly be exceptional or outstanding work. It must demonstrate keen insight and original thinking. It must not only demonstrate full understanding of the topic or issues addressed, but it must also provide a critical analysis of these. In addition, an "A" grade reflects a student's ability to clearly and thoughtfully articulate his or her learning.

B+ through B-: For any work to receive a "B," it must be good to excellent work. It must demonstrate strong originality, comprehension, critical thinking, and attention to detail. In addition, a "B" grade reflects a student's ability to clearly articulate his or her learning.

C+ through C-: For any work to receive a "C," it must meet the expectations of the assignment. It must demonstrate solid comprehension, critical thinking, and attention to detail. In addition, a "C" grade reflects a student's ability to adequately articulate his or her learning.

D+ through D-: For any work to receive a "D," it must marginally meet the expectations of the assignment. It demonstrates minimal comprehension, critical thinking, and attention to detail. In addition, a "D" grade may reflect a student's difficulty in articulating his or her learning.

F: Work that receives an "F" grade does not meet the expectations or objectives of the assignment. It demonstrates consistent problems with comprehension, organization, critical thinking, and supporting details. In addition, an "F" grade reflects a student's inability to articulate his or her learning. Students are strongly urged to discuss this grade with their instructor and advisor.

P: Equivalent to D (+/-) or better and therefore course will not count as credit for specific program requirements or competence area requirements.

NP: indicates failure to meet course objectives and/or failure to meet grading criteria for successful completion as described in the instructor's course description.

ADA: Please note: In order to receive accommodations for disabilities in this course, students must make an appointment to see the Americans with Disabilities Coordinator in their site and bring documentation with them.

Exam Policy

Examinations

Students are expected to be present for all examinations. A student who fails to notify the professor of an absence in advance of the quiz or examination will receive a grade of zero for that quiz or examination.

**If you miss an exam, you will lose 10 points of the exam grade unless there are unusual emergent circumstances preventing you from being in class. This will need to be discussed with the instructor ahead of time.

Students who miss a quiz or examination must make up the quiz or examination prior to the next time the class is scheduled to meet or within a period of one week. During an exam, any discussion among students or sharing of any information once the exam begins will be considered an infraction of the Honor Code.

During all examinations, students must leave all materials (notebooks, PDA’s, cell phones, papers, hats and jackets, etc.) away from examination area.

Once a student begins an exam, he/she must complete the exam during the examination period. If a student leaves the exam session before completing the exam, the faculty member will grade the student on the work completed during that exam period only. The only exception would be a medical emergency that occurs during the exam. Any student suspected of giving or receiving information during an examination will be reported to the Academic Integrity Committee in accordance with the University’s Academic Regulations

. Professional Behavior and Attendance Responsibilities

Students are responsible for developing and demonstrating professional behavior. The classroom and learning environments are all considered professional settings. Therefore, the following behaviors are expected indicators of professional standards of conduct:

1. Have fun; laugh-learning is enhanced when you are in a good place.

2. Act with civility at all times.

3. Attending each class.

4. Arriving on time for each class.

5. Being well prepared for each class.

6. Participating in the learning experience for the entire scheduled period.

7. Being attentive to and respective of peers and classmates discussing questions, cases or issues raised during class.

8. Notifying the professor well in advance in the unusual circumstance that you will be unable to attend class, laboratory, or are unable to meet the requirements of the learning experience.

9. Being respectful of all CCV staff, college advisors and agency staff.

10. Participating actively in own learning by identifying areas of weakness and seeking out assistance from support services offered on campus and on-line.

11. Maintaining a safe environment.

12. For Discussions on-line: Remember “tone” when conversing on-line. Please do not use texting abbreviations, please think before you hit send.

Attendance Policy: Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential components of a student's success in college and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. Please be aware that missing more than three (3) classes will result in a non-satisfactory grade. A pattern of late arrival or early departure in classroom settings will constitute absence at the instructor's discretion and may impact your grade.