Course Descriptions

HCA 103 - Orientation to Pharmacology

3 Credits, 3 Contact Hours
3 lecture periods 0 lab periods

An overview of the principles of pharmacology for professional allied health care providers. Includes medication sources, classifications and actions, oversight by the government, administration, and safety precautions. Also includes standard mathematical formulas for converting among measuring systems to assure accuracy in medication dosage and preparation.

  

1. Distinguish between the classification of medications, and explain common uses and potential side effects on each body system.
2. Describe the protocols for administration of non-parental and parental medication administration.
3. Demonstrate conversions and the use of mathematical formulas to measure and administer correct dosages.

2.      Describe the government’s role in the development, approval, distribution, sale and monitoring of prescription and over-the-counter medication.

3.      Describe pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles of drugs.

4.      Demonstrate proper technique for routes of medication administration.

5.      Identify abbreviations and symbols commonly used in pharmacology.

6.      Explain standard and universal precautions to assure safety in medication administration.

1. Anatomy and Physiology
   1. Cognitive
      1. Classifications of medications
         1. Indications for use
         2. Desired effects
         3. Side effects
         4. Adverse reactions
      2. Drug Reference Resources
      3. Drug names differentiated
         1. Chemical
         2. Generic
         3. Trade
      4. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics of drugs
      5. Effects of medications on each body system
   2. Psychomotor
      1. Rules of medication administration
         1. Right patient
         2. Right medication
         3. Right dose
         4. Right route
         5. Right time
         6. Right documentation
         7. Right technique
      2. Process and importance of label checks
      3. Dispense non-parenteral medications
      4. Administer parenteral medications (selecting appropriate sites, correct techniques) for injection types:
         1. Intradermal
         2. Subcutaneous
         3. Intramuscular
   3. Critical thinking skills for performing patient assessment and care
2. Applied Mathematics
   1. Cognitive
      1. Basic math computations and formulas (to solve equations)
      2. Medical abbreviations and symbols (used in medication dosages)
   2. Psychomotor
      1. Basic units of measurement
         1. Metric system
         2. Household system
      2. Conversions among measurement systems
      3. Proper dosage calculations of medication for administration
3. Legal Implications
   1. Federal Drug Legislation and Enforcement
      1. Legislative acts
         1. Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act
         2. Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act
      2. Enforcement
         1. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
         2. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
         3. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
   2. Document medication administration in the patient’s medical record
   3. Report and document relevant information concisely and accurately
4. Protective Practices
   1. Identify and comply with:
      1. Safety signs
      2. Symbols
      3. Labels
   2. Safety measure application when administering medication
      1. Standard precautions
      2. Universal precautions
      3. Needlestick safety and prevention

HCA 119 - Orientation to Human Anatomy and Physiology

1. Describe the organizational structure of the human body
2. Discuss normal physiology of the human body and internal mechanisms required to maintain homeostasis
3. Identify signs, symptoms, and etiology of common diseases; and describe methods of detection, treatment, and prevention.

1. Describe the structural organization of the human body beginning with cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems concluding with a human being.
2. Identify and describe the function and interdependencies among body systems to maintain homeostasis.
3. Identify common pathophysiological signs, symptoms, and etiologies for common diseases.
4. Describe CLIA waived testing and analysis used in an ambulatory care setting to detect common diseases to determine treatment modalities.
5. Describe all body systems, the changes to structure and function, and implications associated with changes across the life span.

1. Human Body’s Structural Organization
2. Body Systems Identified
3. Describe:
   1. Body planes
   2. Directional terms
   3. Quadrants
   4. Body cavities
4. Body System’s Major Organs
5. Anatomical Location of Each Body System’s Major Organs
6. Human Body’s Structure and Function Across the Life Span
7. Each Body System’s Normal Function
8. Each Body System’s Common Pathology, Including:
   1. Signs
   2. Symptoms
   3. Etiology
9. Each Body System’s Pathology, Including:
   1. Diagnostic Measures
   2. Treatment Modalities
10. Disease Processes and Indications for CLIA Waived Tests (Associated with Common Diseases)

HCA 152 - Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)

1. Synthesize and apply information needed to recognize when adults are at risk for cardiopulmonary arrest, heart attack, and stroke.
2. Use the chain of survival to increase survivability of cardiac arrest.
3. Perform the cognitive and psychomotor skills needed to resuscitate and stabilize patients of adult victims in respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, or pre-arrest emergencies.

1. Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Overview
   1. Registration process
   2. Proof of completion of pre-course material
      1. Completion of pretest
      2. Current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) card
   3. Overview of course objectives
2. Review of Prerequisite Material
   1. Discuss pretest course material with student
   2. Mandatory core knowledge
3. Overview of the Following Cases Including Discuss and Demonstration of Appropriate Treatment
   1. Respiratory emergencies ventricular fibrillation (VF) and ventricular tachycardia (VT)
   2. VF, VF/pulseless, and VT simple
   3. VF and pulseless, VT complex
   4. Pulseless electrical activity (PEA)
   5. Asystole
   6. Bradycardia
   7. Stable tachycardia
   8. Unstable tachycardia
   9. Acute coronary syndromes
   10. Stroke
4. Practical Examination
   1. Written assessment
   2. Mega code capstone