Pharmacology Fundamentals & Drug Sources
The general definition of pharmacology.
What is the study of medications, including their origin, nature, properties, and effects on living organisms?
The exact metric fluid volume equivalent of 1 household teaspoon (tsp).
What is 5 mL?
The minimum number of times a drug label must be checked against the provider order prior to administration.
What is 3 times (1st retrieval, 2nd preparation/draw, 3rd return/disposal)?
The insertion angle, maximum volume, and target layer for an Intradermal (ID) injection.
What is a 5 to 15-degree angle, maximum 0.1 mL volume, into the dermis forming a 6–10 mm wheal/bleb?
The legal documentation rule governing all medical assisting clinical procedures.
What is 'If it was not documented, it was not done!'?
The difference between local and systemic drug actions.
What is a local action affecting a specific area versus a systemic action affecting the entire body through the bloodstream?
The exact metric fluid volume equivalent of 1 household Tablespoon (Tbsp).
What is 15 mL?
The mandatory patient waiting period following an injection to observe for acute allergic reactions.
What is 20 to 30 minutes?
The insertion angles and tissue technique used for Subcutaneous (SC) injections.
What is a 45-degree angle (or 90-degree for obese/short needles) while pinching the subcutaneous tissue?
The inventory management method where older medication stock is placed in front to be used first.
What is the FIFO (First In, First Out) inventory rotation rule?
The clinical definition of a medication's half-life.
What is the amount of time required for the body to metabolize and eliminate 50% of a drug dose?
The standard formula used to calculate oral solid and liquid medication dosages.
What is the Desired over Have formula: (Desired / Have) x Volume = Dose?
The specialized equipment required when withdrawing liquid medication from a glass ampule.
What is a Filter Needle (to trap microscopic glass particles)?
The two specific Subcutaneous medications where post-injection site massaging is strictly prohibited.
What are Heparin and Insulin?
The mandatory storage security requirement for DEA Schedule II through V controlled substances.
What is Double-Lock Security (a locked container inside a locked cabinet/room)?
The 5 primary natural and engineered sources from which drugs are derived.
What are Plants (Digitalis/Morphine), Animals/Humans (Insulin/Thyroid), Minerals (Iron/Calcium), Synthetic labs, and Biotechnology?
The specialized dosing factor required for infants and children under 3 years old.
What is Pediatric Weight-Based Dosing (mg/kg/day) or Body Surface Area (BSA nomogram)?
Non-medication allergy categories that Medical Assistants must screen prior to procedures.
What are Latex, Adhesives/Tapes, and Antiseptics/Skin preps?
The specialized Intramuscular technique used to lock irritating or staining drugs deep in the muscle tissue.
What is the Z-Track Method?
The route of administration strictly prohibited from the Medical Assistant scope of practice.
What is Intravenous (IV) administration?
The severe, life-threatening systemic allergic reaction that causes airway constriction and severe hypotension.
What is Anaphylaxis (or Anaphylactic Shock)?
The key physiological organ systems that require dosage reductions when impaired.
What are Hepatic (Liver) and Renal (Kidney) impairment?
The core safety framework used to prevent medication errors prior to administering any drug.
What are the 10 Rights of Medication Administration (Right Patient, Drug, Dose, Route, Time, Documentation, Reason, Response, Right to Refuse, Patient Education)?
The mandatory clinical action required if blood enters the syringe during Intramuscular aspiration.
What is immediately withdrawing the needle, discarding the entire syringe and drug, and preparing a brand-new dose?
The 7 mandatory documentation elements recorded in the EHR after medication administration.
What are Date, Time, Medication Name, Dose/Amount, Route, Site/Location, Provider Order/Signature & MA Initials?