CSP Patient Adherence and Outcomes 2

Question 1

A patient's fill history over a 180-day measurement period shows 150 unique days covered by medication. What is the proportion of days covered (PDC)?

Accepted Answer

0.83

Answer

PDC equals days covered divided by days in the period, so 150/180 = 0.83.

Question 2

Why can the medication possession ratio (MPR) exceed 1.0 while PDC cannot?

Accepted Answer

MPR sums days' supply without adjusting for overlapping fills

Answer

MPR adds total days' supply dispensed, so early or overlapping refills can push it above 100%, whereas PDC counts each day only once.

Question 3

What PDC threshold is most commonly used by PQA and CMS Star Ratings to define a patient as adherent?

Accepted Answer

80%

Answer

The Pharmacy Quality Alliance standard defines adherence as PDC of at least 80% for most chronic medication classes.

Question 4

A patient never picks up a newly prescribed biologic after the prescription is processed. This is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Primary nonadherence

Answer

Primary nonadherence occurs when a new prescription is never filled or never picked up.

Question 5

A patient stops taking an oral anticancer agent because she believes the nausea outweighs the benefit. This is classified as:

Accepted Answer

Intentional nonadherence

Answer

A deliberate decision to stop or alter therapy based on beliefs or side effects is intentional nonadherence.

CSP - Certified Specialty Pharmacist Practice Test