Identify medications and actions.

Identification should include

  • classes of drugs
  • drug actions
  • indications of use
  • adverse reactions, side effects
  • contra indications
  • storage/disposal
  • onset/duration of medication action.

Process/Skill Questions:

  • Why is knowing the classification of drugs important?
  • What is the difference between indications and contraindications for drug use?
  • When is it important to know the duration of a medication? 
  • How does a medical assistant know if the quantity of medication ordered is within the safe range for a patient?
  • When the medical assistant performs medication reconciliation, what are they doing?
  • Why would the provider need to know if the patient develops a cough if a patient is taking an ACE inhibitor for hypertension?