Medical Office Pharmacology: Review For Medical Assistant Students and Professionals

Do You Know The Feeling?

It's Time For Your Pharmacology Exams and Suddenly Your Brain is Firing Blanks!

A medical assistant's vocational training almost always includes pharmacology classes. Not only because pharmacology training is an important part of the medical assisting curriculum, but also because it is an essential skill required by most doctors or recruiters for employment as medical assistant in a medical office.

We know the feeling and understand the challenges medical assistant students face.

Do medical assistants need to know the forms of drugs, their uses, strength, and how they are prescribed? Isn't that the doctor's job?

Medical assistants working in a medical office, clinic, or hospital are expected to be familiar with the most common forms of medications, which includes knowledge of their brand, and generic names, their recommended dosages, and dosage forms.

Those who dispense, and administer medications must be able to read, and understand medical terms, numerals, and abbreviations that appear on prescription bottle labels, written prescriptions, and medication orders, and possess a solid understanding of the conditions under which certain drugs may, or may not be prescribed (i.e. pregnancy, breast-feeding, allergies, risk).

Pharmacology Review for Medical Assistants and Medical Office Staff

MA Pharm .com provides a resource-rich interactive learning environment with tons of free medical assistant self-study resources, pharmacology tutorials, and research articles. Those preparing for their medical assistant exams or externship site will appreciate the plethora of free tutorials, worksheets, checklists, interactive assessments to review important facets of applied pharmacology in a medical office.

Pharmaceutical Drugs

A medication is a licensed drug (chemical) taken to cure or reduce symptoms of an illness or medical condition. Medications are generally divided into two groups: over-the-counter (OTC) medications, which are available without special restrictions, and prescription only medicines (POM), which must be prescribed by a physician. Most OTC medications are generally considered to be safe enough that most persons will not hurt themselves accidentally by taking them as instructed. A prescription drug is a licensed medicine that is regulated by legislation to require a prescription before it can be obtained. Since new discoveries and developments in medicine and health care have a direct influence on the medical assistant's professional duties and responsibilities learning and understanding of basic pharmacology is very important.

Prescription drugs are authorized by doctors, though physician assistants and nurse practitioners do an increasing amount of drug prescribing. Medical assistants are NOT authorized to prescribe drugs, but often they are asked to write out prescriptions on the authorizing doctor's prescription pad for the doctor to sign, or call in prescribed medications to the pharmacy as ordered. At times, the doctor will ask a medical assistant to administer a certain dose of a drug to a patient while being seen at the office.

Test your knowledge:

Take the Medications Quiz!

Controlled Drugs

Because controlled drugs are subject to laws, a medical assistant is legally responsible for adhering to regulations associated with handling, administering, disposal, and safe-keeping of medications within their scope of practice. It is highly recommended that medical assistants are familiar with federal, state, and legal guidelines, maintain awareness of federal and state health care regulations regarding regulated substances, and operate in compliance with the national and state regulatory agencies and government (OSHA) guidelines.

Safe and effective drug therapy requires more of a medical assistant than simply handing over a prescription, or administering a drug to a patient. They must be able to explain the use of medications, possible interactions, and typical and abnormal reactions in a way the patient understands, and know the proper way of recording these medications into the patient's chart. They also ensure that the physician is aware of all medications, both, prescription and OTC that the patient is taking, and know how to spell medication names, numerals, dosage units of measure, and abbreviations.

One simple way to prepare for these responsibilities is to read the package inserts and drug labels that accompany all medications, whether they are drugs from drug company representatives (drug-reps), or drugs ordered by the practice. Another excellent source of information is the Physician's Desk Reference, or PDR, which most medical offices receive free of charge every year and be aware of office policies and procedures. And of course... partaking in professional continuing education programs and courses.

Medical Office Pharmacology: Review For Medical Assistant Students and Professionals
MAPharm.com Home Medical Office Pharmacology Review For medical assistants who need to brush up on certain areas in pharmacology as it applies to a medical office. Top Navigation: Typical Training Curriculum Medical Drug Sources Common Forms of Medication Drugs in the Medical Office Parts of a Prescription Online Study Print Pharmacology Lessons! Subject Navigation: Patient Assessment Administering Medications Drug Dosage Calculations Medication Administration Procedures Medical OfficeSafety Tips Safety Guidelines—The Five Rights Safety Alerts! Medication Errors in Children Medication Errors in The Elderly Malpractice Disposal of Medications Self-Study Navigation Roman Numerals On A Prescription Prescription Label Requirements Prescription Parts Labeling Exercise Contact Terms of Use Privacy Policy MA Pharm Site Index Helpful Links	Do You Know The Feeling? It's Time For Your Pharmacology Exams and Suddenly Your Brain is Firing Blanks! A medical assistant's vocational training almost always includes pharmacology classes. Not only because pharmacology training is an important part of the medical assisting curriculum, but also because it is an essential skill required by most doctors or recruiters for employment as medical assistant in a medical office. We know the feeling and understand the challenges medical assistant students face. Do medical assistants need to know the forms of drugs, their uses, strength, and how they are prescribed? Isn't that the doctor's job? Medical assistants working in a medical office, clinic, or hospital are expected to be familiar with the most common forms of medications, which includes knowledge of their brand, and generic names, their recommended dosages, and dosage forms. Those who dispense, and administer medications must be able to read, and understand medical terms, numerals, and abbreviations that appear on prescription bottle labels, written prescriptions, and medication orders, and possess a solid understanding of the conditions under which certain drugs may, or may not be prescribed (i.e. pregnancy, breast-feeding, allergies, risk). Pharmacology Review for Medical Assistants and Medical Office Staff MA Pharm .com provides a resource-rich interactive learning environment with tons of free medical assistant self-study resources, pharmacology tutorials, and research articles. Those preparing for their medical assistant exams or externship site will appreciate the plethora of free tutorials, worksheets, checklists, interactive assessments to review important facets of applied pharmacology in a medical office. Pharmaceutical Drugs A medication is a licensed drug (chemical) taken to cure or reduce symptoms of an illness or medical condition. Medications are generally divided into two groups: over-the-counter (OTC) medications, which are available without special restrictions, and prescription only medicines (POM), which must be prescribed by a physician. Most OTC medications are generally considered to be safe enough that most persons will not hurt themselves accidentally by taking them as instructed. A prescription drug is a licensed medicine that is regulated by legislation to require a prescription before it can be obtained. Since new discoveries and developments in medicine and health care have a direct influence on the medical assistant's professional duties and responsibilities learning and understanding of basic pharmacology is very important. Prescription drugs are authorized by doctors, though physician assistants and nurse practitioners do an increasing amount of drug prescribing. Medical assistants are NOT authorized to prescribe drugs, but often they are asked to write out prescriptions on the authorizing doctor's prescription pad for the doctor to sign, or call in prescribed medications to the pharmacy as ordered. At times, the doctor will ask a medical assistant to administer a certain dose of a drug to a patient while being seen at the office. Test your knowledge: Take the Medications Quiz! Controlled Drugs Because controlled drugs are subject to laws, a medical assistant is legally responsible for adhering to regulations associated with handling, administering, disposal, and safe-keeping of medications within their scope of practice. It is highly recommended that medical assistants are familiar with federal, state, and legal guidelines, maintain awareness of federal and state health care regulations regarding regulated substances, and operate in compliance with the national and state regulatory agencies and government (OSHA) guidelines. Safe and effective drug therapy requires more of a medical assistant than simply handing over a prescription, or administering a drug to a patient. They must be able to explain the use of medications, possible interactions, and typical and abnormal reactions in a way the patient understands, and know the proper way of recording these medications into the patient's chart. They also ensure that the physician is aware of all medications, both, prescription and OTC that the patient is taking, and know how to spell medication names, numerals, dosage units of measure, and abbreviations. One simple way to prepare for these responsibilities is to read the package inserts and drug labels that accompany all medications, whether they are drugs from drug company representatives (drug-reps), or drugs ordered by the practice. Another excellent source of information is the Physician's Desk Reference, or PDR, which most medical offices receive free of charge every year and be aware of office policies and procedures. And of course... partaking in professional continuing education programs and courses.
	This Website is protected by applicable copyright laws. No part may be reproduced, transmitted, or used in any way other than its intended purpose without prior written permission. Inquiries, contact Website owner: Danni R. About the Author: Danni R. has created this extensive resource in her capacity as certified medical assistant and medical assisting instructor at Porter & Chester Institute, Ultrasound Diagnostic School, and Branford Hall in 2003. You may also visit her other websites at Advanced Medical Assistant of America, Medical Assistant Net, Medical Billing and Coding Net, Medical Coding and Billing Home Page, and Phlebotomy Pages to get better acquainted with her work. © 2003 MApharm.com \| Terms of Use \| Privacy Policy \|