Author: Holly McCain
Holly McCain, PharmD is a long-term care pharmacist licensed in multiple states, specializing in skilled nursing, assisted living, ICF/IDD, and medical-at-home services. She has over six years of pharmacy management experience, leading regulatory inspections, supervising multidisciplinary teams, and overseeing sterile IV compounding and pharmacy automation. Her expertise spans Medicare and Medicaid compliance, medication safety, and operational alignment in senior care settings. Holly is an active member of ASCP, AMCP, ASHP, and the Senior Care Pharmacy Coalition.
Published Articles
General Illness Information Common Name: Crohn’s Disease Medical Term: Regional Ileitis, Granulomatous ileitis Description: Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammation of the intestinal wall, usually affecting the full thickness of the intestinal wall. The disease typically affects the most distal part of the small intestine (ileum) and the large intestine. One-third of the cases involve only the small bowel, most commonly the terminal ileum. About half of the cases involve…
General Illness Information Common Name: Costochondritis Medical Term: Tietze’s Syndrome Description: Chest pain due to painful inflammation (swelling) of the cartilage of the ribs (attaching ribs to sternum). It may mimic cardiac pain. Commonly affects the 3rd or 4th ribs. Age of onset before 40. Both sexes are affected equally. Causes: Cause of the inflammation is often unknown. May be associated with trauma and overuse. Prevention: Avoidance of activities…
General Illness Information Medical Term: CONVULSION, FEBRILE Common Name: Seizures, febrile. Description: Seizure occurring with fever in infancy or childhood without evidence of other underlying cause. It is triggered by rapid rise in temperature in infants and children. Febrile convulsions typically occur with rising temperature followed by altered consciousness and uncontrolled muscle spasms. They can occur in up to 4% of children between ages of 6 months to 4 years….
General Illness Information Common Name: Corn or callus Medical Term: Callosity Description: A thickening of the outermost skin layer, usually over bony areas such as toe joints (corn). Painless thickening of skin caused by repeated pressure and irritation (callus). This commonly involves the skin on the hands, feet and knees Causes: Corns and calluses form to protect a skin area form injury caused by repeated irritation (rubbing or squeezing); Pressure…
General Illness Information Common Name: Corneal Ulcer, Corneal abrasion. Medical Term: Corneal ulcer, Corneal abrasion Description: Ulceration or sore in the thin transparent layer of the colored part of the eye (cornea). Causes: Dry eye, burns, abrasion, contact lenses, inappropriate use of topical anesthetics, antibiotics, or antiviral drops, immunosuppressant drugs, diabetes, immunodeficiency are the main predisposing factors. Infection by bacteria or viruses frequently follows. Prevention: Avoid corneal abrasion or injury…
General Illness Information Common Name: Corneal Ulcer, Corneal abrasion. Medical Term: Corneal ulcer, Corneal abrasion Description: Ulceration or sore in the thin transparent layer of the colored part of the eye (cornea). Causes: Dry eye, burns, abrasion, contact lenses, inappropriate use of topical anesthetics, antibiotics, or antiviral drops, immunosuppressant drugs, diabetes, immunodeficiency are the main predisposing factors. Infection by bacteria or viruses frequently follows. Prevention: Avoid corneal abrasion or injury…
General Illness Information Common Name: Pink Eye Medical Term: Conjunctivitis Description: Inflammation of the mucosal lining (underside) of the eyelids and the white of the eyes. Discharge may or may not be present. More commonly seen in children. It may be infectious or non-infectious. Causes: Bacterial Viral, allergic, autoimmune, chemical or irritative, rickettsial, fungal, parasitic, tuberculosis, syphilis, Kawasaki disease, Thyroid disease, gout, carcinoid, sarcoidosis, psoriasis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Reiter’s syndrome. Prevention:…
General Illness Information Common Name: Heart Failure, Dropsy Medical Term: Congestive Heart Failure Description: Inability of heart to pump sufficient blood to meet normal body requirements. Results in accumulation of fluid in lungs (left heart failure) or fluid in liver and extremities (right heart failure). This is the main complication of heart disease, and accounts for the majority of heart disease admissions to hospital. Causes: Coronary artery disease; High blood…
General Illness Information Medical Term: CONSTIPATION Common Name: CONSTIPATION Description: Constipation is a condition in which a person has hard, dry stools causing difficult, uncomfortable or infrequent bowel movements. In most cases, constipation is harmless, but can indicate an underlying disorder. Acute constipation begins suddenly and noticeably. Chronic constipation begins insidiously and persists for months or years. Causes: Causes for constipation are listed below: Insufficient fiber in the diet. Fiber…
General Illness Information Medical Term: Upper Respiratory Infection, URI Common name: Common Cold Description: A contagious viral infection of the upper-respiratory passages Causes: Any of at least 100 viruses. Virus particles spread through the air or from person-to-person contact, especially hand-shaking. Prevention: Wash hands frequently, especially after blowing your nose or handling food; To prevent spreading a cold to others, avoid unnecessary contact during the contagious phase (first 2 to 4…
