CAOP - Competency Assessment of Overseas Pharmacist Implementing Medication Plans Questions and Answers

Question 1

A patient presents a new prescription for apixaban.
Upon reviewing their medication history, you notice they are also taking amiodarone.
Which of the following is the most appropriate initial action for the pharmacist to take when implementing the medication plan?

Accepted Answer

Contact the prescriber to discuss a potential dose reduction of apixaban.

Answer

Dispense both medications as prescribed with a caution to monitor for bleeding.

Answer

Refuse to dispense the apixaban due to the high risk of a severe interaction.

Answer

Advise the patient to stop taking amiodarone while they are on apixaban.

Question 2

According to the Pharmacy Board of Australia's 'Guidelines on dose administration aids and staged supply of dispensed medicines', which information is NOT a mandatory requirement for the label of a Dose Administration Aid (DAA)?

Accepted Answer

The name of the prescribing doctor for each medicine.

Answer

The name, strength, and dose form of each medicine.

Answer

The directions for use for each medicine.

Answer

The date the DAA was packed.

Question 3

A 75-year-old patient requests a new supply of their 'little white water pill' but cannot remember its name. The prescription on file is for hydrochlorothiazide 25mg daily. The pharmacy has two different generic brands in stock. When implementing the medication plan, which action best reflects the principles of continuity of care and medication safety?

Accepted Answer

Check the dispensing history to identify the previously supplied brand and provide the same one if possible.

Answer

Provide any of the available generic brands as they are bioequivalent.

Answer

Refuse to supply the medication until the patient can confirm the name.

Answer

Ask the patient to describe the tablet markings to identify the correct brand.

Question 4

A prescription for a Schedule 8 (S8) medication is presented with the quantity written in words and figures, but there is a discrepancy between them (e.g., '10 (ten)' and '20 (twenty)' are both written). According to Australian dispensing practice guidelines, what is the correct procedure?

Accepted Answer

Contact the prescriber for clarification before dispensing.

Answer

Dispense the larger quantity as it represents the prescriber's most recent intention.

Answer

Dispense the quantity written in words.

Answer

Dispense the smaller quantity to minimize the risk of diversion.

Question 5

When implementing a medication plan that involves packing oral cytotoxic medicines into a Dose Administration Aid (DAA), which of the following is a key consideration according to the Pharmacy Board of Australia guidelines?

Accepted Answer

A risk assessment must be conducted to ensure the benefit of adherence outweighs the risk of exposure.

Answer

Oral cytotoxic medicines are strictly prohibited from being packed in a DAA.

Answer

Only a pharmacist with a specialized oncology certification is permitted to pack cytotoxic medicines.

Answer

The DAA must be returned to the pharmacy for disposal after use.

Question 6

A patient is being discharged from the hospital with a new medication plan. Which of the following is the most critical element for the pharmacist to ensure seamless implementation of this plan in the community setting?

Accepted Answer

Obtaining a detailed and accurate medication reconciliation and discharge summary.

Answer

Receiving the patient's complete hospital medication chart.

Answer

Ensuring the patient has a full month's supply of all new medications.

Answer

Personally counselling the patient's general practitioner on the changes.