Lecture Clinical procedures for medical assisting (4/e): Chapter 19 – Booth, Whicker, Wyman

Chapter 19 - Principles of pharmacology. After studying this chapter you will be able to: Describe the five categories of pharmacology; differentiate between chemical, generic, and trade names for drugs; describe the major drug categories; identify the main sources of drug information;...

ure A Instructions to the pharmacist _ C Superscription B Patient instructions _ D Inscription © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 19­37 Vaccines • Special preparations made from microorganisms • Administered to produce reduced sensitivity to or increased immunity to an infectious disease • Body creates antibodies in response to an antigen (vaccine) © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 19­38 Antibody Formation Antigen enters body White cells produce antibodies Antibodies combine with antigens to neutralize them This arrests or prevents reaction or disease Vaccines stimulate antibody formation and reduce symptoms if patient is exposed to disease © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 19­39 Immunizations • Schedule for immunizations for children up to age 16 years • Pre-exposure immunizations • Post-exposure immunizations – antiserum or antitoxin that contains antibodies © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 19­40 Immunizations (cont.) • Medical assistant should be familiar with – Indications – Contraindications – Dosages – Administration routes – Potential adverse effects – Methods of storing and handling © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 19­41 Apply Your Knowledge Why are vaccines given to patients? ANSWER: Vaccines are administered to a person to produce reduced sensitivity to or increase immunity to an infectious disease © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 19­42 Patient Instruction on Medications • Medical assistant role is important • OTC drugs – Should not be used to avoid medical care – May not produce enough therapeutic benefit – May be dangerous in combination with other substances or drugs – May mask symptoms or aggravate a problem © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 19­43 Patient Instruction on Medications (cont.) • Prescription drugs – Inform patient about special considerations and drug safety precautions – Encourage patient to • Maintain a complete list of medications • Report adverse reactions • Patient compliance © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 19­44 Patient Instruction on Medications (cont.) • To prevent medication errors, be sure patient understands prescription – How and when to take the medication – Appropriate language – Demonstrate if necessary – Review warnings about the medication © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 19­45 Apply Your Knowledge Mrs Del Rosario tells you she does not take any medication when you are taking her history When you question her further, she says she takes an OTC pain medication occasionally and routinely take several herbal supplements What should you tell her? ANSWER: You should tell her it is important to report all medications, including OTC drugs and herbal and other supplements, to the physician and that they may be dangerous in combination with other substances or drugs or may mask symptoms or aggravate a problem Nice Job! © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved ... Indications – Contraindications – Dosages – Administration routes – Potential adverse effects – Methods of storing and handling © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 19 41 Apply... reserved 19 42 Patient Instruction on Medications • Medical assistant role is important • OTC drugs – Should not be used to avoid medical care – May not produce enough therapeutic benefit – May... prescription – How and when to take the medication – Appropriate language – Demonstrate if necessary – Review warnings about the medication © 2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved 19 45