MA214 - Pharmacology

This course covers terminology and abbreviations of medications as well as the proper identifications, purposes, and procedures relative to controlled drugs. Topics include medication names, prescriptions, dosages, FDC and state laws, and use of the PDR. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate working knowledge of the legal aspects of dispensing medications, properly calculate medications, administer injections, and recognize the different uses of medications and their contraindications.

Drug Resources

Division of Drug Information
Links to drug approval process, over the counter (OTC) medications, watch lists, drug identification, state organizations, and more from the US Food & Drug Administration.

Drugs.com
Includes information of prescription drugs, OTC drugs, side effects, images and pill identifiers.

FDA MedWatch
Tracks recalls of drugs and biologic devices. Arranged by year from the US Food & Drug Administration

MedlinePlus Drugs, Supplements & Herbals Information
Alphabetical listing of drugs and supplements. Includes purpose, contraindications, side effects and more. Separate listing for herbals. From the National Institutes of Health and the National Library of Medicine.

National Drug Code Directory
Maintained by the Food & Drug Administration, the NDC allows searches for detailed drug information by brand name, active ingredient, NDC number, and company name.

PDRHealth
From the Physician’s Desk Reference. Includes overview of diseases, treatment options, drug information and information about clinical trials.

Additional Sites of Interest

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Reports on public health, disaster preparedness, by populations, patient safety and more

American Association of Medical Assistants
Professional Association for MAs includes a library of resources for those interested in the profession

American Medical Association
CPT coding and resources, ethical standards, medical liability, doctors directory

Centers for Disease Control
The leading agency worldwide for infectious diseases and public also offers access to its publications and an image library

MedicalStudent.com
Links to free medical texts, websites and more

Merck Manual
Authoritative entries for medical terms and procedures from the 2nd Home edition.

National Center for Health Statistics
Primary source of statistical data in the medical field

National Guidelines Clearinghouse
Portal sponsored by the US Department of Health & Human Services offers access to evidence-based clinical practice guidelines

Ready Reference Guide
Metric conversion tables, specific gravity of some elements, and Fahrenheit conversion tables from Merck Manual

Classes of Drugs

Encyclopedia of Nursing & Allied Health
Articles on each class of drug with representative drugs, generic/brand names, uses and side effects. Use the search term drugs in the search box.

Ethics & Regulations

MA Education & Scope of Practice
Brief summary of what MAs do and their legal status in the US

State Regulations-Colorado
State statute detailing licensure and powers of physicians

State Regulations (Controlled Substances)-Georgia
State statute detailing who can administer controlled substances as defined by the act

State Regulations (Medications)-Georgia
Statute outlining who can administer medications to patients

State Regulations-Illinois
State regulation detailing delegation of tasks by a physician

State Regulations-Texas
State statute detailing delegation of tasks by a physician

State Regulations-Virginia
State statute explaining to whom a physician may delegate duties

Textbook Companion Site

Comprehensive Medical Assisting, 3rd ed.
Chapter resources, web extras and more