Risk Management & Mitigation Flashcards
7 cards from real APHA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Risk Management & Mitigation flashcards as text
A pharmacist is reviewing a patient's medication list before vaccinating. The patient takes methotrexate 15 mg weekly. What is the primary immunization risk concern?
Answer: Methotrexate is an immunosuppressant; live vaccines may pose a risk of disseminated infection
Methotrexate is immunosuppressive and contraindicates live vaccines due to the risk of disseminated vaccine-strain disease; inactivated vaccines are generally preferred.
In the context of vaccine risk communication, which approach is most effective when a patient expresses vaccine hesitancy?
Answer: Use a presumptive recommendation approach ('You are due for these vaccines today') combined with motivational interviewing
A presumptive recommendation paired with motivational interviewing has been shown to be more effective than a participatory approach in increasing vaccine acceptance among hesitant patients.
A pharmacy's standing orders for immunization must be reviewed and re-authorized at what minimum frequency to remain valid for risk management purposes?
Answer: Annually, or as required by state law and institutional policy
Standing orders should be reviewed and signed by an authorizing provider at least annually to ensure they reflect current ACIP recommendations and maintain legal validity.
Which action is the most important immediate step when a patient develops signs of anaphylaxis within 5 minutes of vaccination?
Answer: Inject epinephrine 1:1,000 IM into the anterolateral thigh and activate emergency medical services (911)
Epinephrine IM is the first-line emergency treatment for anaphylaxis, and EMS must be activated immediately for further medical management.
A pharmacist inadvertently administers a hepatitis B vaccine dose that was previously opened but improperly stored (not refrigerated) for 48 hours. Beyond patient safety steps, which reporting obligation applies?
Answer: The event should be reported to VAERS if it results in or could result in a significant adverse event, and the state health department may also need notification
Administration errors with potential patient harm should be reported to VAERS; many states also require reporting vaccine administration errors to the state health department.
Which of the following is the correct method for disposing of a used vaccine syringe to mitigate needlestick injury risk?
Answer: Place the uncapped needle and syringe directly into an approved sharps container immediately after use
Used needles should be placed uncapped directly into a puncture-resistant sharps container to prevent needlestick injuries; recapping and bending needles increase injury risk.
What is the significance of a vaccine lot number in a pharmacist's immunization risk management documentation?
Answer: It allows tracking for lot-specific safety signals, recalls, and VAERS reporting accuracy
Recording the lot number enables rapid response to manufacturer recalls, supports VAERS reporting accuracy, and allows lot-specific adverse event tracking.