INTRODUCTION Basic pharmacology principles can be useful to the health informati

INTRODUCTION
Basic pharmacology principles can be useful to the health information management (HIM) professional. Understanding patient rights as they
relate to drug administration, knowledge of the drug cycle, and familiarity with standards put in place by external agencies and their
enforcement is integral in maintaining organizational compliance. While HIM professionals may have no direct contact with patients and
medication administration, they serve a major role in ensuring the organization meets accreditation and regulatory standards.
SCENARIO
Mary K. Emerson is a patient at Felder Community Hospital. She was admitted six days ago due to a diabetic episode and an upper respiratory infection that left her unresponsive at work. She was admitted to the ICU, and medical staff attempted to stabilize her condition. Unfortunately, there were some problems with her care due to the wrong information being entered into the patient’s medication record in her chart.
When the nursing staff was trying to update her medications from a previous admission, they chose Mary J. Emerson, who was also a patient
admitted around the same time to another unit, instead of the current patient, Mary K. Emerson. To treat Mary K. Emerson’s respiratory
infection, penicillin was ordered based on Mary J. Emerson’s chart that showed no known allergies. Mary K. was given the penicillin but was
found to have an extreme allergy, which sent her into acute respiratory distress. The penicillin was administered and documented on Mary J. Emerson’s chart before the clinical staff noticed the error.
As Mary K. remained in the ICU and drifted in and out of consciousness, clinical staff tried to make sure she remained on schedule with her
medications. On two noted occasions, the scheduled dose of 30 units of insulin that was to be administered subcutaneously with meals was
delayed during the shift. On a separate occasion, the nurse tech drew up 40 units to be administered intramuscularly instead of the prescribed subcutaneous route. This resulted in the incorrect angle and depth of the injection used for the prescribed insulin.
On the fifth day of her admission, Mary K. was exhausted from the testing and medication changes. When the nurse came in to administer her scheduled dose of insulin, she stated “Please, no more meds!”
REQUIREMENTS
A. Discuss the basic principles of pharmacology by doing the following:
1. Discuss the four stages of the drug cycle.
2. Discuss the physiological factors involved in drug absorption and drug distribution.
3. Discuss the difference between a side effect, a contraindication, and an adverse reaction to a medication.
a. Provide an example of a side effect, a contraindication, and an adverse reaction to a medication.
B. Using the scenario, discuss the seven drug rights that should be checked when auditing documentation for a patient encounter by doing the following:
1. Describe how each of the seven drug rights were violated in the scenario.
2. Discuss the process an HIM professional would need to take to report the violations in the scenario to the appropriate internal party.
C. Explain the roles of OSHA, the FDA, and the DEA in enforcing the Controlled Substances Act.
D. Acknowledge sources, using APA-formatted in-text citations and references, for content that is quoted, paraphrased, or summarized.
E. Demonstrate professional communication in the content and presentation of your submission.
RUBRIC
The discussion accurately addresses the 4 stages of the drug cycle in the human body.
The discussion accurately addresses the key physiological factors of drug absorption and drug distribution in the human body.
The discussion accurately addresses the difference between a side effect, a contraindication, and an adverse reaction to a medication.
An example of a side effect, a contraindication, and an adverse reaction to a medication is provided, and the examples are appropriate and
accurate.
The submission accurately describes how each of the 7 drug rights were violated in the scenario.
The discussion accurately and completely addresses the process an HIM professional would need to take to report the violations in the
scenario to the appropriate internal party.
The explanation accurately explains the roles of OSHA, the FDA, and the DEA in enforcing the Controlled Substances Act.
The submission includes in-text citations and references for content that is quoted, paraphrased, or summarized and demonstrates a
consistent application of APA style.
Content reflects attention to detail, is organized, and focuses on the main ideas as prescribed in the task or chosen by the learner. Terminology is pertinent, is used correctly, and effectively conveys the intended meaning. Mechanics, usage, and grammar promote accurate interpretation and understanding.