A comprehensive resource for those preparing for licensed practical nursing, medical assisting, and other allied health careers, best-selling ESSENTIALS OF PHARMACOLOGY FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONS delivers "need to know" drug information that gives readers the confidence to master pharmacology. It also stresses clinical application to ensure students understand the relevancy of the material and why it's important to learn. Providing instructors complete flexibility, Part I provides comprehensive review of pharmacologic principles, while Part II introduces the fascinating subject of drugs, their sources, legal concerns, and medical uses. Chapters organize drugs by classifications and include the purpose, side effects, interactions, and precautions or contraindications. Medication preparation, supplies, and specific information on each route of administration also are thoroughly covered.

Part I: INTRODUCTION.
1. Consumer Safety and Drug Regulations.
2. Drug Names and References.
3. Sources and Bodily Effects of Drugs.
4. Medication Preparations and Supplies.
5. Abbreviations and Systems of Measurement.
6. Safe Dosage Preparation.
7. Responsibilities and Principles of Drug Administration.
8. Administration by the Gastrointestinal Route.
9. Administration by the Parenteral Route.
10. Poison Control.
Part II: DRUG CLASSIFICATIONS.
11. Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs.
12. Skin Medications.
13. Autonomic Nervous System Drugs.
14. Antineoplastic Drugs.
15. Urinary System Drugs.
16. Gastrointestinal Drugs.
17. Anti-infective Drugs.
18. Eye and Ear Medications.
19. Analgesics, Sedatives, and Hypnotics.
20. Psychotropic Medications, Alcohol, and Drug Abuse.
21. Musculoskeletal and Anti-inflammatory Drugs.
22. Anticonvulsants, Antiparkinsonian Drugs, and Agents for Alzheimer's Disease.
23. Endocrine System Drugs.
24. Reproductive System Drugs.
25. Cardiovascular Drugs.
26. Respiratory System Drugs and Antihistamines.
27. Drugs and Older Adults.
References.
Summary.
Comprehensive Review Exam for Part I.
Comprehensive Review Exam for Part II.

A comprehensive resource for those preparing for licensed practical nursing, medical assisting, and other allied health careers, best-selling ESSENTIALS OF PHARMACOLOGY FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONS delivers "need to know" drug information that gives readers the confidence to master pharmacology. It also stresses clinical application to ensure students understand the relevancy of the material and why it's important to learn. Providing instructors complete flexibility, Part I provides comprehensive review of pharmacologic principles, while Part II introduces the fascinating subject of drugs, their sources, legal concerns, and medical uses. Chapters organize drugs by classifications and include the purpose, side effects, interactions, and precautions or contraindications. Medication preparation, supplies, and specific information on each route of administration also are thoroughly covered. An-all new section is devoted to ear medications. More user friendly than ever, the Patient Education Boxes that accompany each drug classification have been expanded with more in-depth summaries and key highlights that help health care professionals effectively instruct patients about medications they are taking. Up-to-date illustrations reflect the rapid changes in pharmacology, such as expanded figures and information on the EpiPen® and treatment of anaphylaxis. Additional questions have been added to the comprehensive chapter review quizzes to cover new material. Extremely reader friendly, ESSENTIALS OF PHARMACOLOGY FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONS, 8e simplifies the learning process and organizes material into engaging and manageable chapters -- instead of long complicated chapters jammed with tons of concepts. Providing the most comprehensive coverage available, the text offers detailed descriptions of each classification, along with the characteristics of typical drugs, their purposes, side effects, precautions or contraindications, and interactions. A special icon identifies the most common and important side effects of drugs. Enhancing the relevancy of the material, Clinical Connection features provide real-life examples and applications, such as coverage of narcotic overdose and treatment. Easy-to-use reference tables included with each classification list the most commonly prescribed drugs according to their generic and trade names as well as dosages, available forms, and special considerations.