Standard of Learning

6.6 The student will access and analyze information for the purpose of improving personal and family health. Key concepts/skills include:

1. assessment of personal and family wellness;
2. analysis of the reliability of health information;
3. recognition of the persuasive tactics used by various types of media;
4. interpretation of the contraindications for prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines.

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Understanding the Standard

The student will be able to recognize contraindications (effects which are undesirable) for prescription drugs and over-the counter medicines.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

The student will:

• identify signs and symptoms of contraindications for prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
• identify the role of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• describe how physical activity, dehydration, food, fatigue, and other medications may interact negatively with prescription and over-the counter medications.
• recognize the effects of medications may be immediate or delayed.
• identify what potency, expiration, absorption, and elimination rate mean in regards to medication use.
• understand the importance of drug regulations, precautions, and safety for self and others when taking medication. (Poison Control Center, Basic First Aid, etc.)

Sample Lessons

Over-the-Counter and Prescription Medications
This lesson plan teaches students to make healthy decisions about the usage of over-the-counter and prescription medications.
Sponsor: Virginia Department of Health
Medications.pdf
Free

People We Trust
Grades K-3
In addition to learning the difference between medicines and harmful drugs, students will also need to learn about safe behaviors for acquiring medicines. In this lesson, they will take part in activities which will help them learn the people in their lives they can trust to give them medicines. 
http://www.acde.org/educate/k3plan2.htm
Sponsor: American Council for Drug Education
Free

Personal and Family Health
This lesson plan teachers Students to recognize antibiotic resistance as a dangerous threat to community and personal wellness in the future.
Sponsor: Virginia Department of Health
Personal_Family_Wellness.pdf
Free

Additional Instructional Resources

• Description of over 4,000 Medications - http://www.drugfacts.com
• Food and Drug Administration - http://www.fda.gov
• General Resources - Drugs - http://www.vhct.org/gr_drugs.shtml
• Intelihealth - http://www.intelihealth.com
• Treatments & Medicine – http://www.pbs.org/teachersource (health & fitness 6-8)
• Virginia Department of Health – Antibiotic Worksheets - Antibiotic_Worksheets.pdf
• Virginia Department of Health – Antibiotic Pretest - Antibiotic_Pretest.pdf

Assessment Ideas

The student will:

• create a home safety checklist to assist parents in identifying contraindications for family prescription and over-the counter medications.
• go to a local pharmacy and identify drug contraindications listed on the product label for 12 over-the-counter medications.

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