Principles of pharmacology
This is the study of drugs and their effects on living organisms.
What is Pharmacology?
If a medication is 250 mg per 5 mL, how many mL would you give for a 500 mg dose?
10 mL (Use proportion: 250 mg/5 mL = 500 mg/x mL; x = 10)
This route of administration is applied directly to the skin. What is ___?
Topical
This is a mental health disorder characterized by persistent sadness, loss of interest, and feelings of
worthlessness. What is ___?
Depression
A side effect differs from an adverse reaction in that it is ___ while an adverse reaction is potentially ___.
Expected/predictable; dangerous/serious (or severe)
The movement of a drug from the site of administration into the bloodstream is called ___.
Absorption
Convert 0.5 grams to milligrams.
500 mg (0.5 g × 1000 = 500 mg)
Before administering any medication, the medical assistant should verify the order three times. When are these three times?
Before removing the medication from the shelf/drawer, 2) Before pouring/preparing the medication, 3) Before administering the medication to the patient
A patient appears withdrawn and avoids eye contact. This is an example of what type of communication barrier?
Nonverbal communication barrier (or body language barrier)
A patient on antidepressant medication reports feeling better emotionally but is concerned about weight gain. What should the medical assistant do?
Document the concern, report it to the physician/provider, offer education about the medication's benefits vs. side effects, and provide supportive counseling
A medication that increases urine production and is often used to manage hypertension is a ___.
Diuretic
A child weighs 44 pounds. Convert this to kilograms (use 1 kg = 2.2 lbs). Round to the nearest tenth if necessary.
20 kg (44 lbs ÷ 2.2 = 20 kg)
A patient refuses to take their prescribed oral medication. What is the appropriate action for the medical assistant?
Notify the physician/provider and document the refusal, the reason given by the patient, and the time (do not force administration)
Name three signs or symptoms of anxiety that a patient might display in a medical office setting.
Any three of the following: trembling, sweating, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, difficulty concentrating, irritability, restlessness, muscle tension, insomnia, nausea
A medication label reads "1 grain = 60 mg." If a doctor orders 2 grains, how many milligrams should be administered?
120 mg (2 grains × 60 mg/grain = 120 mg)
This phase of drug metabolism occurs primarily in the liver and involves chemical modification of the drug
molecule. What is ___ metabolism?
Phase I (or Phase 1)
A medication order calls for 15 mg/kg for a 70 kg patient. Calculate the total dose.
1050 mg (15 mg/kg × 70 kg = 1050 mg)
When administering an injection, the needle should be at what angle for an intramuscular injection?
90 degrees (perpendicular to the skin)
When a patient discloses suicidal thoughts, the medical assistant should immediately ___ and document the information.
Report (to the physician/supervisor)
A patient with anxiety is prescribed a new medication but expresses fear about becoming dependent. How should the medical assistant respond?
Validate the concern and provide accurate information: explain that as prescribed and monitored by the physician, the medication is safe; discuss how the medication helps manage symptoms; reassure that dependency risk is low with proper use under medical supervision; encourage the patient to discuss concerns with the provider
A patient reports experiencing tremors and anxiety after taking their asthma medication. This unwanted
response is called a(n) ___ effect.
Adverse (or Side)
What is the 1st step when attempting dosage calculation?
Unit conversion
Explain the difference between intradermal and subcutaneous injections in terms of needle length and depth.
Intradermal: needle is very short (about 15 degrees angle) and medication is injected into the dermis (shallow); Subcutaneous: needle is longer and medication is injected into the fatty tissue below the dermis (deeper)
Explain how a medical assistant can use active listening to help build rapport with a patient experiencing behavioral health concerns.
Active listening involves: maintaining eye contact, using open body language, reflecting back what the patient says, asking clarifying questions, avoiding interruptions, showing empathy, and validating the patient's feelings. This builds trust and demonstrates care.
In Ms. Danie's classroom if a substance or material is wet it is considered to be ________?
Infectious