Pharmacology and Drug Administration

Radiography Procedures

Materials Included

Text
Video
Anatomy
Simulation
Quiz

This module teaches you about pharmacology and the role of the radiologic technologist in administering drugs for radiologic procedures

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Some radiographic examinations involve the administration of intravenous (IV) contrast media, and it is becoming more common for radiologic technologists to administer the pharmocological agent, rather than the physician or radiologist. Therefore it is important for the technologist to have a basic understanding of pharmacology principles and how to perform IV cannulation. This module teaches you about pharmacology and the role of the radiologic technologist in administering drugs for radiologic procedures. Read about the procedures, watch the video demonstration, and explore the relevant anatomy. The online simulator, available in test and practice mode, provides a safe environment to learn and practice the steps for venous cannulation. This module is an ideal resource if you are studying for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists® (ARRT) registry exams.

You’ll learn

to describe basic pharmacological principles such as naming, classification, dosing and charting practices
to identify the different routes of drug administration
to explain the concepts of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
the role of a radiologic technologist in administering pharmacological agents to patients
to practice, perfect and test your skills in performing venous cannulation for administering contrast media
about the different options for patients with procedural anxiety
how to identify adverse reactions and how to respond in a medical emergency
much more (see “content details” for more specific information)

You’ll learn

the most common methods of anesthesia in dental practice
relevant medical terminology
important safety considerations
pre-procedure and post-procedure considerations
correct recording and reporting procedures
how to prepare anesthetic for delivery
to understand the different injection sites and which needles are appropriate for each
to visualize the anatomy of the teeth, gums and the nerves surrounding the upper and lower teeth
the common clinical scenarios where anesthetic is utilized
to practice and perfect your skills in the delivery of anesthetic during dental procedures
the impact of the state Dental Practice Act.
much more (see “content details” for more specific information)

Introduction

Step 1 - Principles of pharmacology and drug administration

Step 1.1 - Drug names

Step 1.2 - Prescribing

Step 1.3 - Controlled drugs

Step 1.4 - Complementary or alternative medications

Step 1.5 - Placebos

Step 1.6 - Documentation

Step 1.7 - Taking a drug history

Step 2 - Biological effects

Step 2.1 - Biopharmaceutics

Step 2.2 - Pharmacokinetics

Step 2.2.1 - Drug absorption

Step 2.2.2 - Drug distribution

Step 2.2.3 - Drug metabolism

Step 2.2.4 - Drug excretion

Step 2.3 - Dosing considerations

Step 2.3.1 - Pregnancy

Step 2.3.2 - Pediatrics

Step 2.3.3 - Geriatrics (over 65 years of age)

Step 2.4 - Pharmacodynamics

Step 2.4.1 - Site of action

Step 2.4.2 - Mechanisms of action

Step 2.4.3 - Therapeutic effects

Step 2.5 - Factors affecting drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics

Step 2.6 - Osmotic effect

Step 3 - Drug classification

Step 3.1 - Analgesics

Step 3.1.1 - Opioids

Step 3.1.2 - Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)

Step 3.1.3 - Paracetamol/Acetaminophen

Step 3.2 - Drugs affecting the central nervous system

Step 3.2.1 - Antidepressants

Step 3.2.2 - Anxiolytics (benzodiazepines)

Step 3.2.3 - Anticonvulsants

Step 3.2.4 - Antipsychotics

Step 3.2.5 - General anesthetics

Step 3.2.6 - Barbiturates

Step 3.3 - Drugs affecting the cardiovascular system

Step 3.3.1 - Antihypertensives

Step 3.3.2 - Antianginals

Step 3.3.3 - Anticoagulants, antiplatelets, and thrombolytics

Step 3.3.4 - Statins

Step 3.3.5 - Antiarrhythmics

Step 3.4 - Drugs affecting the endocrine system

Step 3.4.1 - Hypoglycemics

Step 3.5 - Drugs affecting the immune system

Step 3.5.1 - Antibiotics

Step 4 - Contrast media

Step 4.1 - Classification

Step 4.1.1 - Intravascular ROCM

Step 4.1.2 - Enteral ROCM

Step 4.1.3 - Parmagnetic ROCM

Step 4.1.4 - Ultrasound microbubble ROCM

Step 4.2 - Pharmacology

Step 4.2.1 - Iodinated radiopaque contrast media

Step 4.2.1.1 - Intravascular

Step 4.2.1.2 - Enteral

Step 4.2.2 - Barium sulfate

Step 4.3 - Adverse reactions

Step 4.3.1 - Iodinated radiopaque contrast media

Step 4.3.2 - Barium sulfate

Step 4.3.3 - Paramagnetic agents

Step 4.3.4 - Ultrasound microbubble agents

Step 4.4 - Drug interactions

Step 4.5 - Contraindications to ROCM

Step 4.6 - Procedural considerations

Step 4.6.1 - Patient preparation for different contrast studies

Step 4.6.2 - Postprocedure considerations

Step 4.6.3 - Scheduling multiple procedures

Step 4.6.4 - Informed consent

Step 5 - Routes of administration

Step 5.1 - Oral

Step 5.2 - Sublingual

Step 5.3 - Rectal

Step 5.4 - Topical

Step 5.5 - Subcutaneous

Step 5.6 - Intrathecal

Step 5.7 - Intra-articular

Step 5.8 - Intramuscular

Step 5.9 - Intravenous

Step 5.9.1 - Inserting a peripheral IV line (venous cannulation)

Step 5.9.2 - Complications of IV lines

Step 5.9.3 - Central venous lines

Step 5.9.4 - Infection prevention and control

Step 6 - Procedural anxiety

Step 6.1 - Conscious sedation

Step 7 - Medical emergencies

Step 7.1 - How to approach an emergency situation

Step 7.2 - Crash cart items

Step 7.3 - Emergency medications

Understand and describe the imaging professional's ethical and legal role in drug administration
Explain the importance of obtaining a clinical history before administering any drug
Understand and describe basic pharmacological principles including drug nomenclature, classification, dosing, and charting practices
Understand and explain the concepts of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
Explain various routes by which drugs may be administered, and the advantages and disadvantages of each route
Discuss intravenous drug therapy and its complications
Discuss specific drugs, drug categories, and methods of administering drugs used in medical imaging
Explain the importance of patient preparation prior to a contrast study, and postprocedural considerations following a contrast study
Describe the imaging technologist's role in venous cannulation
Explain the importance of obtaining informed consent
Define the categories of contrast agents and give examples from each category
Understand the pharmacology of contrast agents
Distinguish between mild and more severe drug reactions
Discuss procedural anxiety and the types of medications used to treat it
Understand and discuss the pharmacology of medications used in emergency situations
List the contents of a crash cart
Describe the role of the imaging technologist in a medical emergency
Explain the HIPAA Privacy Rule, and Patient Safety Act (see reference)

The SIMTICS modules are all easy to use and web-based. This means they are available at any time as long as the learner has an internet connection. No special hardware or other equipment is required, other than a computer mouse for use in the simulations. Each of the SIMTICS modules covers one specific procedure or topic in detail. Each module contains:

an online simulation (available in Learn and Test modes)
descriptive text, which explains exactly how to perform that particular procedure including key terms and hyperlinks to references
2D images and a 3D model of applied anatomy for that particular topic
a step by step video demonstration by an expert
a quiz
a personal logbook that keeps track of all the modules the learner has studied and how long