Focus on Pharmacology (2e)

This text’s focused “teach-and-test” approach to learning pharmacology is designed specifically for allied health students. Early chapters lay the groundwork by introducing pharmacology’s history, legal and ethical principles, drug administration techniques, essential math, and calculations. Following chapters focus on drugs specific to body systems, and each body system chapter concisely reviewing anatomy and physiology, providing a foundation for understanding drug actions and uses. Pediatric and geriatric pharmacotherapies are then covered in detail, as are antibiotics and other drug categories. Updated throughout, this edition contains new chapters on medication errors and prevention, substance abuse, and drugs used to treat pregnant patients; as well as additional coverage of federal laws and herbal supplements. Full-color photos, figures, and tables make this text exceptionally engaging and useful.

• Enables students to provide higher-quality pharmacological care and avoid dangerous mistakes 

New! Substance Abuse chapter—including coverage of interactions between abused substances and prescribed drugs

• Prepares students to recognize and avoid risks associated with substance abuse and related drug interactions 

New! New chapter on drugs used to treat pregnant patients—enabling students to understand the unique pharmacological challenges and risks to both pregnant women and their fetuses

• Prepares students to provide safer pharmacological care to women who are or may be pregnant 

New! Expanded coverage of federal laws—including coverage of new laws and regulations relevant to the administration of drugs

• Prepares students to follow today’s laws in administering drugs

New! Expanded chapter on the nutritional aspects of pharmacology—containing new information on nutrition and herbal supplements

• Helps students understand and treat individuals who are using complementary therapies, and potentially to integrate safe complementary therapies into the care they provide

For pharmacology courses in any allied health program, including programs for medical assistants, pharmacy technicians, respiratory care technicians, surgical technicians, and physical therapy assistants. This text will also be valuable in LPN and associated degree-nursing programs.

This text’s focused “teach-and-test” approach to learning pharmacology is designed specifically for allied health students. Early chapters lay the groundwork by introducing pharmacology’s history, legal and ethical principles, drug administration techniques, essential math, and calculations. Following chapters focus on drugs specific to body systems, and each body system chapter concisely reviewing anatomy and physiology, providing a foundation for understanding drug actions and uses. Pediatric and geriatric pharmacotherapies are then covered in detail, as are antibiotics and other drug categories. Updated throughout, this edition contains new chapters on medication errors and prevention, substance abuse, and drugs used to treat pregnant patients; as well as additional coverage of federal laws and herbal supplements. Full-color photos, figures, and tables make this text exceptionally engaging and useful.

Structured presentation of drugs intended to treat specific body systems and associated disorders—starting with a concise review of anatomy and physiology, and then explaining pharmacologic principles associated with key points about drugs and drug classes, in question format, including: “How do they work?” “How are they used?” “What are the adverse effects?” “What are the contradictions and interactions?” “What should patients know?”

• Provides fast access to the knowledge that matters most
• Gives students a strong understanding of the principles underlying drug actions, effects, and usage 

Proven “Teach-and-Test” Approach—teaches small amounts of information and then quickly tests students on what they’ve just learned, via three sets of exercises: Chapter-opening practical patient scenarios with critical thinking questions; strategically placed in-chapter “Apply Your Knowledge” questions; and end-of-unit Checkpoint Reviews reflecting the formats of most certifying and licensing exams, include multiple choice and essay questions. 

• Makes learning pharmacology more engaging and interactive
• Helps students learn more effectively, and retain more of what they learn  

Up-to-date drug dosing information—including tables of all drugs discussed in each chapter, arranged by classes and formatted to include generic and trade names, adult dosing, and route of administration

• Gives students complete, up-to-date reference material for both study and practice 

Thorough coverage of special populations—including pediatrics and geriatrics

• Prepares students to recognize the unique care requirements of children and older adults, and provide safe and effective pharmacological care to them 

Drug interactions related to complementary and alternative medicines—including herbs, supplements, and foods

• Helps students safely serve the growing number of people who are using complementary and/or alternative treatments, or wish to do so  

Proven pedagogical features—including clear chapter objectives, lists of key terms, chapter capsule reviews, and many figures and photos

• Helps students learn more effectively, find relevant information more quickly, and gain confidence more rapidly