Patient Assessment and Evaluation Flashcards
7 cards from real APC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Patient Assessment and Evaluation flashcards as text
A pregnant patient in her first trimester asks for something to treat a urinary tract infection. Which assessment step is most critical before any recommendation?
Answer: Confirm pregnancy status and trimester, then refer to a medical practitioner
UTIs in pregnancy carry risks of preterm labor and pyelonephritis; pharmacists must confirm pregnancy and refer to a prescriber as antibiotic choice depends on trimester and requires a prescription.
A pharmacist conducts a HMR (Home Medicines Review) and finds a patient is using two inhalers incorrectly. Which assessment domain does this best represent?
Answer: Drug therapy problem: subtherapeutic dosage due to technique error
Incorrect inhaler technique results in subtherapeutic drug delivery, classifying the issue as a subtherapeutic dosage drug therapy problem.
When assessing an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander patient, which principle is most important in ensuring culturally safe practice?
Answer: Allowing time for relationship-building and avoiding assumptions about health practices
Culturally safe practice with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients requires building trust, allowing adequate time, and respecting cultural health beliefs without assumptions.
A patient taking lithium for bipolar disorder reports starting a low-sodium diet and using ibuprofen for back pain. What is the primary pharmacist concern?
Answer: Both low-sodium diet and NSAIDs can increase lithium levels, risking toxicity
Sodium depletion and NSAIDs both reduce renal lithium excretion, increasing lithium levels and the risk of toxicity — a serious drug-diet-drug interaction.
During an APC-style OSCE, a candidate is asked to assess a patient's self-reported pain score of 8/10 for chronic low back pain. Which response best demonstrates comprehensive assessment?
Answer: Explore the character, duration, radiation, aggravating factors, and current management of the pain
A pain score alone is insufficient; comprehensive assessment requires characterizing all dimensions of the pain to identify the most appropriate management pathway.
A patient presents requesting a repeat supply of their antidepressant but has no prescription. During assessment, they mention feeling 'not worth living.' What is the pharmacist's most appropriate immediate action?
Answer: Conduct a suicide risk assessment and arrange urgent support or referral to emergency services
A statement suggesting suicidal ideation requires immediate risk assessment and, if risk is significant, urgent referral — this takes priority over the medication supply issue.
A pharmacist notices a patient's dispensing history shows they are filling their antihypertensive prescription only every 90 days despite a 28-day supply. What is the most appropriate assessment approach?
Answer: Engage the patient in a non-judgmental conversation to explore barriers to adherence
Non-judgmental exploration of adherence barriers is the most appropriate first step, as poor adherence may stem from side effects, cost, beliefs, or forgetfulness that can be addressed collaboratively.