• Practical coverage of basic pharmacology provides a thorough understanding of the medications most commonly used in ambulatory and inpatient settings.
• Chapter objectives and key words at the beginning of each chapter help you focus your study efforts.
• A real-life "Scenario" starts each chapter with thought provoking questions to consider as you progress through the material.
• Each body system chapter includes a list of the "Common Signs & Symptoms of Diseases" and "Common Side Effects of Medications" to help you distinguish between disease progression and medication reactions.
• Body systems icons help you quickly identify how specific drugs affect a particular body system.
• "Check Your Understanding" math review sections enable you to assess your knowledge of application and calculation concepts.
• Procedures boxes provide step-by-step guidance for drug calculation and administration, accompanied by numerous illustrations and icons that identify OSHA-mandated protocols.
• "Important Facts and Clinical Tips" boxes highlight the most important concepts for practice in each chapter.
• "Patient Education" boxes help you communicate more effectively with patients about possible side effects or adverse reactions.
• "Critical Thinking Exercises" challenge you to apply what you've learned to a variety of realistic situations.

• An expanded math section helps you sharpen your calculation skills with a wealth of practice problems.
• Additional drug calculation coverage includes more dosage and calculation practice exercises, as well as a new chapter on Principles and Calculations in IV Therapy.
• Expanded pediatric content offers a more thorough understanding of the special dosage and calculation considerations required for this special population.
• Two new appendices — "IV Therapy Basics" and "Combination Drug Products" — offer quick access to essential information.

Section 1: General Aspects of Pharmacology

Introduction

1. Legal and Ethical Aspects of Pharmacology

2. Basics of Pharmacology

3. Drug Information and Drug Forms

4. Understanding Drug Dosages for Special Populations

5. Reading and Interpreting Medication Labels and Documenting Appropriately

Section 2: Mathematics for Pharmacology and Dosage Calculations

6. Math Review

7. Measurement Systems and Their Equivalents

8. Converting between Measurement Systems

9. Calculating Doses of Nonparenteral Medications

10. Calculating Doses of Injectible Medications

11. Principles and Calculations in Intravenous Therapy NEW!

Section 3: Medication Administration

12. Safety and Quality Assurance

13. Enteral Routes

14. Percutaneous Routes

15. Parenteral Routes

Section 4: Pharmacology for Multisystem Application

16. Analgesics and Antipyretics

17. Immunizations and the Immune System

18. Anitmicrobials, Antifungals, and Antivirals

19. Antineoplastic Agents

20. Nutritional Supplements and Alternative Medicines

Section 5: Medication Related to Body Systems

21. Endocrine System Disorders

22. Eye and Ear Disorders

23. Skin Conditions

24. Musculoskeletal System Disorders

25. Gastrointestinal System Disorders

26. Respiratory System Disorders

27. Circulatory System Disorders

28. Urinary System Disorders

29. Reproductive System Disorders

30. Neurological System Disorders

31. Drugs for Mental Health and Behavioral Disorders

32. Drugs of Abuse and Misuse

Appendices

A. Basic Intravenous Therapy Medications

B. “Check Your Understanding” Answers

C. Drug-Food and Drug-Drug Interactions

Glossary

Eugenia M. Fulcher, BSN, MEd, EdD, RN, CMA (AAMA), Allied Health Instructor, Waynesboro, GA, Robert M. Fulcher, BS Chem, BSPh, RPh, Pharmacist, CVS Pharmacy, Waynesboro, GA and Cathy Dubeansky Soto, PhD, MBA, CMA, Program Director, Medical Assisting, El Paso Community College, El Paso, TX