TL;DR
Pharmacology (Medical Assistant): Drug classifications, mechanisms, dosage calculations, administration routes, and side effects in ambulatory care.
Pharmacology (Medical Assistant)
Definition
Drug classifications, mechanisms, dosage calculations, administration routes, and side effects in ambulatory care.
Step-by-Step Procedure
Procedure: Respirations measurement (relevant to pharmacology (medical assistant)).
Technique: Count without patient awareness (keep fingers on wrist), observe chest rise, count 30 sec x 2 or 60 sec if irregular
Normal values: Normal adult: 12-20/min. Tachypnea over 20, bradypnea under 12.
Workplace Applications
Workplace application of pharmacology (medical assistant) requires fluency in medical terminology:
| Prefix | Meaning |
|---|---|
| dys- | difficult/painful |
| hypo- | below/deficient |
| poly- | many |
| a/an- | without |
| Suffix | Meaning |
|---|---|
| -otomy | incision into |
| -penia | deficiency |
| -ectomy | surgical removal |
| -emia | blood condition |
Patient Communication
Patient education about pharmacology (medical assistant) should use simple language (6th-grade reading level). Verify understanding with teach-back: ask the patient to explain in their own words what was discussed. Provide written instructions to reinforce verbal education. Address cultural and language barriers using certified interpreters, not family members, for medical discussions.
Calculation Methods
Reference values and calculations for pharmacology (medical assistant). CBC normal ranges:
- WBC: 4,500-11,000/uL
- RBC: 4.2-5.9 million/uL
- Hemoglobin: 12-16 g/dL (F), 14-18 g/dL (M)
- Hematocrit: 37-47% (F), 42-52% (M)
- Platelets: 150,000-400,000/uL
Why It Matters
Drug classification, dosage calculation, and the seven rights tested on MA exam.
Related Terms
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